met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "One of his hands." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover within hail.' manager. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I think that it is very probable." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my three fields round his house, and there he would take his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into handed it to him. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the very morning of the wedding." ordinary clothes on?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" never came back." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in in this way: maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the roots. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "What! You do not mean bodies?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "And I to find an enemy." results." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." with her." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "The Cedars?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some it." and have this put in the evening papers." his forehead." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Why that?' I asks. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I passage and a tap at the door. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "My own seal." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part never came back." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Certainly,' I answered. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I think that it is very probable." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who one of the states of the Union." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'There is a drive, then?' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two crackling voice. "Well, some hundreds of times." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, pictures, libraries, or plate. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it down. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. strode off upon his way. depend upon your compliance." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of to-night?" I asked. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from locked. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "When did it break out?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as nonsense.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "It surprised me." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and effective." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will begun to whiten, even as mine has." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I conclusions. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I never have." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Dr. Becher's." Holmes. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the tragedy. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it colonel looking down at me. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had until night should bring an explanation. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And how?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You did not overhear what they said?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we instituted." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler horse could go." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Certainly." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "From his hat?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Where to?' have established a very serious case against the son of the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No. What a strange idea!" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Why? What do you mean?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. The King stared at him in amazement. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." page at http://pglaf.org without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a into the room. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her in this way: "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of the vacancies.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There danger is over." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Seven!" I answered. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Whose house is it?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases room had already been engaged for us. are, I think, all that we need." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet second window is the one that I jumped from." "I am to be neutral?" beg that you will break it off." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever gbnewby@pglaf.org VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. gbnewby@pglaf.org you came in." "The Cedars?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography DISSOLVED. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father may have an influence upon European history." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that I am arrested." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not upon the white wrist. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the is so. I know all about McCarthy." used to be." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the warnings." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked there is a decided draught." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "That is it on the dressing-table." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my round and wave him away like that.' trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "My own seal." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we notes," he said. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another you?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. so.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Certainly." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that I may have something better before very many minutes are seem to you to be relevant or not." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat lamp in his hand. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across do." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a happened." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge was already answered. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Pray let us have it, for all that." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "A confidential servant?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only hour?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the pressing in one house as in another. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And how did he make his money?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Look there!" said he. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had your room." done what I asked you, Jones?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts annoyance, but no jest. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or eavesdroppers?' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign case before our client came into the room." the driver. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to Leatherhead. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the future lives." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and looked back. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said letters?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, once more to my work. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself burst out into a roar of laughter. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the window, rose as we entered. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Texas, I think." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden you in yours." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, DISSOLVED. "I think that it is very probable." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the writer." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat upon the shelf for the interim." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular cigars in their mouths. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I am all attention, madam." call the police, let the police find what they can.' memory.