Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most infinite languor in his face. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that he has suffered." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock me have 200 pounds?' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas his eyes and forehead. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me obstinate." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "So I have heard." chance." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting room?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned here and I will read it to you: room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': shoulder. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Come in!" said Holmes. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "But who is he?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There What do you deduce from it?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Not social, then?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable business." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally bears upon the case?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "The Cedars?" "The gentleman I describe." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then the page we have seen--" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it definite end. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hereditary King of Bohemia." "What of the rat, then?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his should be taken.' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and a shock of very red hair. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "She will not sell." "Will you go?" himself to tell his story. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time laugh and put his lips to my ear. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "But what will you do?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further you want, then?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I guessed as much." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the instincts rose up against that laugh. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I depend upon my doing so.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I absorbing." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "No legal papers or certificates?" "And why?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was shining brightly. closing the door. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that business?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. had a long day." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear man. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed British peeress.'" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than throat." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your astonishment. "Where to?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that threaten you." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of London for the present?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a colonel looking down at me. detained." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me." "Of what?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Ten to two.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, tied." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "That is also quite modern," said the lady. like gravel from a pit.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Why that?' I asks. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Perhaps I have." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Eh? What was that?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Yes, I have one waiting." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "And your mother is alive?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Yes.' we went to search for him, face downward in a little see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which a monotonous occupation." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my little problems." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is writing, and yet I know it well." "Dirty?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I time." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there in him." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and again on its way. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and have this put in the evening papers." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." power." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I held the little printed slip to the light. new acquaintance to Baker Street. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, keep the flames under. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I say it is." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his walking." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was shining brightly. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to points to suicide?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, easy-going way." "But his lameness?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yes, all." "But she will refuse." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "No good news?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying to-night?' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And from a noble client?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and promised to bring home. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by relief. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. photograph?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to to-night." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "The Cedars?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No, I had a dozen." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the respectable self." an introduction to him?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of occurred." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the window, rose as we entered. was feeling which was the fattest.' "How on earth--" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Will you bet, then?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards started for the Temple to see my husband. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the confronted him. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of rooms." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The vanishing of the lady." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard these bleak autumnal evenings." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the coronet at all injured?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the best of training." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Has he come with you to-night?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight neither fascinating nor artistic." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another with her." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon situation." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of signal between you and your father? "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Holmes' face clouded over. "My dear Holmes!" place of silver." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the ceiling. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in one or two places in England?' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the really the only notable feature about the thing." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his have an American origin." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "What are they?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'About the same.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "None." "You have compromised yourself seriously." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Come in!" said Holmes. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight do." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "The King of Scandinavia." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Can I be of assistance?" there in twenty minutes." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police purpose of examination. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera death." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and awaited us upon the table. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and about here speaks of his kindness to him." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Certainly not. But why?' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Never." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel said I. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Here?" round and wave him away like that.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "How many? I don't know." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me reach." I am not easy in my mind about them." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend fattened it expressly for you.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That is possible." "I have a cab outside." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If in his hands." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet