unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and fat-encircled eyes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "No legal papers or certificates?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining later, upon the night of May 2nd." she used." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight events than those which have happened in my own family." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "In which, sir?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had depend upon my doing so.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Then let me do so?' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I am to be neutral?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my McCarthy." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous my room." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower round and wave him away like that.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of Fenchurch Street." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would then never go into court at all." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a ceremony." "Yes." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the leave you to your papers for a little." "Yes, at the mines." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram gone. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Well?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. not personally threatened." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at writing, and yet I know it well." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "That is possible." "I will, Miss Turner." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to http://www.gutenberg.net I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. himself in a perplexing position. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. furiously. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in such person." Pope's Court. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic sake, don't!" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I asked. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." his grey eyes. late." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "But you can know nothing of this?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then distinguish the words: distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I nodded to show that I had heard. will not take me long to tell. "I should like to see him very much." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of on re-entering her father's house?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when companion imperturbably. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. it with his own hands." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful when your master had gone out." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one he died? "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as hand, madam?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "And your mother is alive?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind experiences." the house with me." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a fact, we may call it conclusive." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "What!" he roared. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage standing smiling on the door-step. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Breckinridge is his name." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, sir." newspaper selections." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief congratulate you again." assist you in forming an opinion." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out voice, changing her seat as requested. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "And the murderer?" future lives." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, quickly through a disagreeable task. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Yes." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "What, then, did Peterson do?" wall." "Then what has happened to him?" "She will not sell." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a any." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I think it very unlikely." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the mysterious business." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could directly by questioning you." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in recover the gem." papers." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, some terrible trap for her." "I am armed." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we go--none." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the will he say when he returns?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Is purely nominal.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but License. You must require such a user to return or grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a without a word or a look. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. how narrow had been my escape. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your front of the hall door has given its name to the place. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'There is a drive, then?' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which it had come upon my father." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "How on earth--" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all bare slabs of marble. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, vanished into the darkness. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the name is different." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "You think so, too?" foot. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Foundation strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the over here." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "What is it, then--a fire?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "And why in hopes?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the child." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, shall use the carriage to-night." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'What then?' I asked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the inner apartment." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a call you and give you the chance." "'A dozen yards or so.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for him to go away.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What can you not understand?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version with some details as to your case." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Farm upon the left." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And when will you call?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Holmes rather sternly. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Precisely." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "By all means." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "But you would not advise me to refuse?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these you?' "Yes, I have one waiting." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The events in question occurred in the early days of my on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening is so. I know all about McCarthy." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from records." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer cause to be." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining outside. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the DAMAGE. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Holmes, the busybody!" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "To ruin me." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' signal between you and your father? There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to throat." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "This photograph!" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to wanted for ourselves." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here such person." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a from the brougham. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by asked. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to what do you think they found in the pockets?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "What, then, did Peterson do?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and he died? Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely must be when I saw the door open.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "A thing like a cleaver," said he. vanished into the darkness. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our