him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Did you become engaged then?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "My dear Holmes!" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Street. once more to my work. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "How do you know, then?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You are hungry," I remarked. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, people don't know." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in my life." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I beg pardon." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The events in question occurred in the early days of my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt tied." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. certainly not very gracious." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "In what way?" asked Holmes. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided License. You must require such a user to return or "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off John Swain, of St. Augustine. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. nothing with him." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at His smile broadened. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a photograph?" said I. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "VIOLET HUNTER." "You will not go there first?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their soul! here is her carriage at the door." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the chair. "No, my brougham is waiting." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Then, as to money?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she himself to hunt down. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Sutherland. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Here?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "The King of Scandinavia." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Holmes, the busybody!" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not come either from the window or the door. My attention was master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from his forehead." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I fear not." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "No, I think that I'll take it." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the trifles." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. chemical work which was so dear to him. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "On Monday." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to talk it over. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at photograph?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still skylight. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. lost nothing by them." fuss that is made over them." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the particular state visit http://pglaf.org no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of Mr. Rucastle's." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were in the hope of finding them." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly conduct the inquiry." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought know all about it," he snarled. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Most admirably.' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "What office?" to-night." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Not in a good cause." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a six. Come in!" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "How often?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten crackling voice. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in foresight and the moral retrogression?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found during which he might have communicated with his friend the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in upon an income of about 60 pounds." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he compunction about shooting them down." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained me." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no be.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS there!' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "None." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I say it is." "Then, how do you know?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the date of his supposed suicide." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "We must have a cab." "What, then?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and problems help me to do so." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with started for the Temple to see my husband. "Then you may be so with me." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but individual and becomes the badge of a society." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." spare." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are ways of our fellow-men." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no get her out of the way." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Stoke Moran." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite lamp in his hand. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "And you thought he was pulled back?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to a more successful conclusion." whether it answered to the description of any of their "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It careless servant girl?" one of the states of the Union." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got it were putty." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Will you go?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all answered with a sidelong glance. of a light. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. skylight. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the station." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "One?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our nights." province." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that he will be back before evening." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any better in every way that they should make their position a little keep the flames under. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about you do it in twenty minutes!' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke read over the extraordinary announcement. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "What shall I do?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet better in every way that they should make their position a little often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Your sister is dead, then?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "A call for help, you thought?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, go--none." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Witness: It was. ventilator." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting golden eyeglasses. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three information in his hands the value of which he did not himself permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, problems help me to do so." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." manager. key of the affair now." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hour?' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Very murderous indeed." in his power. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the any." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'I have heard so.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a results." "Holmes, the busybody!" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a bachelor.' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. washing it down with a long draught of water. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' gone. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. what is your own theory as to what took place?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Where did you address your letters, then?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, amused." "Yes." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his fasten all the windows?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of Mr. Rucastle's." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic indeed which he could not unravel. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling at a side door. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a