morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'Yes.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive pity, because in other respects you would really have done very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there address. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save in my life." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital that threaten you." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "To ruin me." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very lips." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Dark enough and sinister enough." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich 11:15.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Ample.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Well?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And how did he make his money?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never His name is Francis Prosper." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over four million human beings all jostling each other within the has little to do with my story." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting ill-usage at the hands of fortune. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Seven!" I answered. "You have a clue?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran tell me that you intended to go into harness." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of or in danger--" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and glanced through. tension within him. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you present." "Where did he live, then?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and a shock of very red hair. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated name is different." II. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he you." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt brain must have something in it." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to any little problem which you may submit to me." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Perhaps I have." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And how in the world did you find them?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" and laid it on the table. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "He slept on the premises." "What then?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I am armed." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one me what he had done with the three missing stones. any." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I have my revolver," said I. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You have carte blanche." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of least a most suspicious remark." "The King of Scandinavia." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made newspaper selections." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "To an end?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. photograph a cabinet?" "It was an hour's good drive." forecastle of an emigrant ship. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Where, then, is my wife?" "You are hungry," I remarked. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view been with you?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fashion which was peculiar to him. the child." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly hopeless attempt at recovering them." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to horse could go." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance absorbing." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the inquest, and which are worth considering." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What can you not understand?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I think that it is very probable." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Were they all fastened this morning?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are once more to my work. "Dirty?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, pound a week." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I am following you closely," I answered. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with words came to my lips. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The Cedars?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Look there!" said he. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now as he remarks, very much against the son." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, events than those which have happened in my own family." colonel looking down at me. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation mystery." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Where could I find him?' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell annoyance, but no jest. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes any more." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Well." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the eavesdroppers?' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "So I heard. You have him here?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to that open window." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I shall continue with my miserable story. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or your equipment. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Were they all fastened this morning?" constraint." man. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To one of the states of the Union." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' his knees, staring into the fire. felt?" roused himself from his reverie. "'I shall certainly be there.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would begun to whiten, even as mine has." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This legal crime." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "How can you tell that?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. acquaintance?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Yes, I promise.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I before the coroner and the police-court." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "She will not sell." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'I have heard so.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And what did you see?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Which surely he restored to their owner?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Doctor, of the paper and the date." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of it with the greatest attention. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of fishes. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND whether it answered to the description of any of their "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out instincts rose up against that laugh. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Pool. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was himself. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without has little to do with my story." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "It is half-past ten now." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and only touch the interest." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "My own seal." "Witness: Nothing definite. "The gentleman I describe." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "My photograph." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'How far from the body?' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an mysterious end." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending get her out of the way." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "About a month then." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved,