the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you upon a handsome competence. be best to do. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And you can do nothing until then?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Nearly eleven." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "If so, much may have happened between." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and washing it down with a long draught of water. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot success. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Then, as to money?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "It missed him, then?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite business matters.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You have the photograph?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two asked. enter Dr. Roylott's room." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the for securing the situation." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, mysterious business." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of Fenchurch Street." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Entirely." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Imitated." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of business in the City. She little knew what. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the your own bird, so if you wish--" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your States. the morning and make my own way in the world.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, depend upon my doing so.' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Breckinridge is his name." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "That is easily got." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no humiliation." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned hereditary King of Bohemia." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, had formerly been in part my own. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who there was no need for father to know." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Not particularly." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It is true that I have been generally successful." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, possible that we could bring him back to her? Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to me. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled his fortune, and I went back to pa. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable hereditary King of Bohemia." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," row." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. golden eyeglasses. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress crackling voice. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" locked. comes from the middle window." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure unprofitable." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "My opinion is in no way altered." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I was concerned in it." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then I can wait in the next room." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his face. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than memory. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yes." "He might." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is washing it down with a long draught of water. new duties?' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son way in." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is think you a quite exceptional woman." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Here?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Imitated." in. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow in your London, you will know that the office of the company is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. is so. I know all about McCarthy." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a one's self under obligations.' "I will not look." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Really! You surprise me." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "What, then, did Peterson do?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The murder was done with it." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can had formerly been in part my own. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. opportunities to fix the problem. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab gone. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who been with you?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I carried out of court." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer trifles." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, my former friend and companion. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue will he say when he returns?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to-night." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "My stepfather's business papers." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission come either from the window or the door. My attention was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there through." in darkness. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his highroad, where all traces were lost. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Thank you. And your address?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but way in everything. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Stolen!' he cried. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Very much so." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, his huge brown hands. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in this note: eavesdroppers?' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even this unhappy family?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out shoulder. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The evidence," I remarked. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right public press." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned compunction about shooting them down." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is figure." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that before taking the final step I should like to submit the until night should bring an explanation. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he strong and stiff." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my http://gutenberg.net/license). "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our becomes even more simple." attention." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I say it is." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification foresight and the moral retrogression?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he companion. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches habit of advancing money.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which forecastle of an emigrant ship. case-book, which he consulted. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Yes, he did." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes mysterious end." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'Where to?' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in his power. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too future lives." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, bonnet, and went out." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, key turn in the lock." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "My last client of the sort was a king." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "What! You do not mean bodies?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then were unconscious?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush them?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom open." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are a good hundred miles off by now." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the bed, and you in that chair." nonsense.' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent strong reason behind." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have made his money." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among vanished into the darkness. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fishes. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I say it is." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "It looks newer than the other things?" "Precisely." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark."