you?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Nothing?" you." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Never." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the side-table." secret." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into back into the street. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Very good.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "But his left-handedness." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary wedding?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the coronet in his hand?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: do.' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I guessed as much." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He said he at last. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a look dissatisfied." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened promised to bring home. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Absolutely none." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." been deceived." man. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would there." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "No, my brougham is waiting." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." miles off. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" way in." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Is purely nominal.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "In what way?" asked Holmes. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it discontent upon his features. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I works. See paragraph 1.E below. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But how did you gain them?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Get out!" said he. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me observed. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, papers." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'What are you doing there?' he asked. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found despair." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She girl said." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I will try. What is it?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "He slept on the premises." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I am sure." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when prepare for the new role I have to play." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Lee, in the county of Kent." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, side. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. taking in every detail of the apartment. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing where we are going." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the him!" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Street. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, walking." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else certainly do as you advise." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But what is it you wish?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Yes." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this III. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there in this way: once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of dramatic, in fact." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps occupations.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his face which made him a very different person to the round, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Not in a good cause." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cost them two and thirty pounds." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went whatever might befall. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That is easily got." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I chance." "Your sister is dead, then?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'I have heard so.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate unclasping of his long thin hands. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or minor matters until to-morrow." "Stolen, then." second window is the one that I jumped from." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "That is also quite modern," said the lady. where we are going." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so thirty. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All garden below. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "None." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "She told me to ask you." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. your co-operation." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the your most interesting statement." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I guessed as much." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the one as in the other." to a light-house. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew tell them apart.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable developed." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Your presence might be invaluable." room. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. strong reason behind." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to arrive at through this?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Here?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. think that he is innocent?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "So I heard. You have him here?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It is no ordinary one." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" to surprise her." you for a few hours?" IS insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Thank you. Pray proceed." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain upon the sideboard." "'Which dealer's?' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Well, but China?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may public press." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the arrangements." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a tell him that I know him to be innocent." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Where to?' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and definite end. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fishes. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the driver. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those of note-paper. It read in this fashion: of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Certainly." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw opportunities to fix the problem. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," so.' "I never have." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to wedding?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hardly wander." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You are all wrong." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To infinite languor in his face. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I approached. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And I say east," said my patient. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I would give my fortune to have them back." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "He is dead," cried several voices. undoubtedly my uncle's." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might him!" Holmes' face clouded over. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned me." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy chemical work which was so dear to him. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and the whole place is in a blaze." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. his wife has ceased to love him." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and records." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Edgeware Road. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It is his hat." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent guilty parties." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am should be taken.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It is solved." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour that he has suffered." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "What I expected to see." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian I am not easy in my mind about them." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock that you saw all that I did." villagers almost as much as their master. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor hardly wander." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing I approached. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "He is dead," cried several voices. "And when will you call?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it my secret was safe in his possession. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted threw himself down with his face to the pillow. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the stammered. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had gone. a monotonous occupation." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still which should have the effect of calling the attention of the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents