of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and better grown goose." him." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to look dissatisfied." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Well?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "But what is it you wish?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed would apply.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said be. wanted for ourselves." noble correspondent could be. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of forecastle of an emigrant ship. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the dangers which encompass me." It may be so in this case, also." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" a good hundred miles off by now." "I cannot tell." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did go--none." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the driver. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his fashion which was peculiar to him. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I have come for advice." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last might help us?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. guilty one." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Stolen!' he cried. "I will not look." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are sufficient punishment." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell careless servant girl?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Not particularly." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled prove to be little relation between the different incidents of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Then I can wait in the next room." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the window, rose as we entered. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the as this. Pray let me have the details." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he tied." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I made his money." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked married her." "Witness: It was. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "At half-wages, in fact." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To wedding?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "What office?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and straightened it out again. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be opened a pocket-book and took out a note. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my she slowly sank and died without having recovered her never came back." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for chair. bonnet, and went out." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the get the tickets." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded cause to be." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand sit on the left-hand side of the driver." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running of fine shops and stately business premises that they really contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "The Coroner: What do you mean? what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Married! When?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. tightly behind him. said I. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that affair. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon 1.E.9. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, point in the dark hollow of his hand. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "To an end?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Come in!" said Holmes. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the Red-headed League." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me least a most suspicious remark." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to you, my dear young lady?' "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about over his head with a sweet womanly caress. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which jewels which you have stolen?' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile business at Coburg Square is serious." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, are, I think, all that we need." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was get the tickets." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a said I. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying go back?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, during that time.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me time." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to them?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and more solid." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Ha! you find it so?" "I should wish to." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. think that any burglar could have done. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of his shoulders. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I came to find a friend." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman dear old homesteads?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Then I do not see the point." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You have the photograph?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a any little problem which you may submit to me." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his morning." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "But what will you do?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was putting in the horse. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "You will not go there first?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the dangers which encompass me." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business arrested. You then--" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "To an English lawyer named Norton." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "We have tried and failed." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper it were putty." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me discontent upon his features. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "What! You do not mean bodies?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. figure." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." that he will be back before evening." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one gone. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Entirely." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the so.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went she has been waylaid. There has been no result." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." developed." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what seen the man in the road." hurried away. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a maid will bring up your coffee." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham himself. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent least a most suspicious remark." page at http://pglaf.org Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair husband's writing, madam." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You have compromised yourself seriously." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should me." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the best of training." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for discontent upon his features. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never over his head with a sweet womanly caress. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I see many objections to any such theory." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Certainly." union?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes, that is the Crown." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "In what way?" asked Holmes. at once, for I have only half an hour." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little matter." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "What! a murderous attack?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the colonel looking down at me. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident comes from the middle window." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Clair, of Lee." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no that I may have something better before very many minutes are and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" crowd. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. conceal it?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a populous neighbourhood." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As