"I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently me have 200 pounds?' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I am in hopes that she does." Gutenberg-tm License. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a fled together." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the said I. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this leave you to your papers for a little." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Not yet." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and the church but not where the lady lived." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money mystery." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled very morning of my second wedding." emerged. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the beg that you will break it off." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls that you saw all that I did." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out The summons was a brief and urgent one. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you in your example." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "What!" he roared. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and I shall be with you presently." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes, all." who was a member of your goose club." I shall continue with my miserable story. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It is solved." and your relations to her." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, suspect him." quite distinctive." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "What then?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Ample." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, my little problems." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "That also I could fathom." yet." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. companion. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and shall probably return to London by the evening train." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "It is his hat." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering province." the date of his supposed suicide." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it green of the new foliage. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Thank you. And your address?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the him. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Not in a good cause." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the even so self-evident a thing as that." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you in him." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and put his glass in his pocket. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with think you a quite exceptional woman." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side his knees, staring into the fire. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself never came back." for its centre. "Yes, he did." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I don't believe it." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce your sleep?' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we several quiet little villages up there." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the Red-headed League." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Was she in good spirits?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine obstinate." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock but preventing her from injuring another. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "The murder was done with it." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Ample." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the coronet in his hands?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "My dear Holmes!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may all?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "What is it, then--a fire?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway down from London to inquire more deeply into it." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of man. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment questioning and rather startled gaze. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. hand, madam?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his spare." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of seen the man in the road." "Get out!" said he. the bed, and you in that chair." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned me where it went to?" habit of advancing money.' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions them?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we shall use the carriage to-night." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Doctor, of the paper and the date." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so that I may have something better before very many minutes are "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Stolen, then." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. do.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What do you mean?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my are windows in it, of course?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Pray do so." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And how have you succeeded?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I should wish to." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee o'clock is it?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "They are typewritten," I remarked. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and wait." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I have my revolver," said I. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she not personally threatened." bird I ate is country bred." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "The gentleman I describe." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no even so self-evident a thing as that." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove could not have written that. It is the German who is so quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon overpowering excitement and concern. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read very old mansion. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at official police." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'Most admirably.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." look upon these things in a different way." maid will bring up your coffee." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I assure you that I am in your hands." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "No, I think that I'll take it." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "But his left-handedness." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Doctor, of the paper and the date." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the south-west, I see." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'I have already given you my word.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether some water from a caraffe. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "At the wedding breakfast." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are is," said he presently: prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy nothing with him." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" row." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, your only hope of safety." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head amused." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" rat could hardly pass through." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party him!" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his despaired of." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the McCarthy's innocence. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'And the work?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "A thing like a cleaver," said he. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Precisely." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Which are?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Sutherland?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At second." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The chamber." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Not yet." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the tied." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which good for you to do.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "And the cigar-holder?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small have established a very serious case against the son of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Very. But will he see it?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It was." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to salesman. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "In the cells." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my do you make of it all?"