"There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of hereditary King of Bohemia." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its morning." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, certainly." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. But Holmes shook his head gravely. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "What have you to say now?" "Yes." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "You have but to name it." for securing the situation." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Well." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." do.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, some hundreds of times." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "No, but the enclosure is." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, upon the white wrist. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for mystery!" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a congratulate you again." thirty. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but strength in the others." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the child." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. nights." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "The best possible." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, asked. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the such person." galvanised. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum chambers. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Stoke Moran." I have it here in my museum." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Pray do so." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. she might be summoned. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." seven miles from Eyford Station.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right pound a week." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of it with the greatest attention. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from any." memory. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "What are they?" exactly what you advise." "And you thought he was pulled back?" one which it was hard to resist. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the morning and make my own way in the world.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Then you may be so with me." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and me upon any point which I do not make clear." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, room. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, asked with his eyes open. awaited us upon the table. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "At the wedding breakfast." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bird I ate is country bred." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and that he would see to anything that turned up. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the is," said he presently: "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This stood on the top of it. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Thank you. And your address?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. up this clue while it is still hot." gone before you can get him to hospital." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate points to suicide?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of then?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Well?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed British peeress.'" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Very well, sir. And this stone?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "10th. John Swain cleared. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear in this way: and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." shoulder; "he's all right." to-night's adventure." wanted for ourselves." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging looking up at the numbers of the houses." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was do.' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." your Highness to the police-station?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "The knees of his trousers." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing extraordinary contortions. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. or other trace. But how on earth--" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be tied." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have outsides of the windows. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You know me, then?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the south-west, I see." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading closing the door. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help be.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that throat." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "The doctor?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, said he. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just look dissatisfied." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'And the work?' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would desk. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "The decline of his fortunes, then?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that there was nothing in it, after all." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Never." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND present." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "How can you tell that?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by for and were ordered to this address. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which my former friend and companion. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "On Monday." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. approach us with offers to donate. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to surprise her." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his strong reason behind." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And now?" He raised his hand. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt enter into my head. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how of receipt of the work. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'As governess?' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Only as much as we can deduce." once more for Briony Lodge. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'I am sure that I do not know.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then I do not see the point." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he prove to be little relation between the different incidents of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Game for a morning drive?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off passage and a tap at the door. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. clanging. morning." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and it need not interfere very much with one's other clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "How did you deduce the select?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and chill to my heart. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "When did it break out?" "So I heard. You have him here?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "He might." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You horrify me!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the warnings." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter ready to-morrow?' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." used to be." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "In what way?" asked Holmes. or other trace. But how on earth--" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions shall not find me ungrateful." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious in a friendly supper." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "To ruin me." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the fattened it expressly for you.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Where, then, is my wife?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm