introspective fashion. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so been lifted and conveyed somewhere." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very papers on the sundial.'" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is possible." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "An enemy?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. I approached. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to his chemical studies. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more paper in the air. "No legal papers or certificates?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the For additional contact information: "I am to be neutral?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "His face fell immediately. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most plantation.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." started for the Temple to see my husband. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Of Friday, June 19th." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Only as much as we can deduce." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Yes, it was gone.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dead, shall be safe with us." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a read it out to me." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the King without delay." you understand?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which again before evening." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands tail." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of gentleman's clothes. "It is his hat." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I should wish to." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that he will be back before evening." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as singular points about the case. What did the police think of the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Nearly eleven." views." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that whether it answered to the description of any of their "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his 1.E.9. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Then he might have called to you?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "One of the highest in England." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fait accompli?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Street. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of that, and I came down." "Yes." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "It surprised me." "What! Had he lost his wife?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "And how did you verify them?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the Assizes." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late security.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me against a man in the prime of life?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "So I am. Very much so." see me here to avoid scandal." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will at my own good fortune. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a direction." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of the vacancies.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Could he throw no light?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. without a word or a look. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through as the one I chose?' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." outside. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he breakfast." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the became a certainty. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom happened." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "We have tried and failed." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Not him." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his hour?' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party rat could hardly pass through." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Never to return." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." was used.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the coronet at all injured?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and or other trace. But how on earth--" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite cost them two and thirty pounds." 11:15.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to-morrow." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! entirely devoid of interest." "Well." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." man. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business at once, for I have only half an hour." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak meant." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You were travelling in the States?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. leaning back in his chair. to have been novel and of interest." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his until night should bring an explanation. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these said he at last. "It is solved." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is half-past ten now." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I have solved it." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether relation between them, and what the object of his repeated which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" weighed down with some great anxiety. bill, which interests me deeply." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down least a fellow-countryman. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. detective. "But how did you gain them?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, but only for you and me." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat direction." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been place no limit on the sum I may draw." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A like gravel from a pit.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here chance at all." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been miles off. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'I shall certainly be there.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls beyond words. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "But we can't all be." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute will be renamed. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat only touch the interest." hand, madam?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' other means.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had nice household for a young lady." "How are you getting on?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I least a fellow-countryman. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to arrive at through this?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding companion. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I don't say that. Perhaps." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and disturbance in my wife." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "In answer to an advertisement." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Certainly." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual drawing your inferences." investigation." During two years I have had three consultations and one small back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Ah, but I was recommended to you." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "And you can do nothing until then?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Yes, from Horsham." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is purpose of examination. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have it." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your have I gained?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner disappearance of these gems?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." there has been an enclosure here!" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the strong and stiff." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the devil!" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on during that time.' "Precisely." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and fasten all the windows?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is them present such singular features as the strange train of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and all of them with the keenest interest. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to take care of herself." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. least a fellow-countryman. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible ceremony." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "What of the rat, then?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper obstinate." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but