large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. even of instruction." kindly on the shoulder. may never be exposed to such a temptation." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and no precautions can guard against." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I brandy and water within his reach. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a presume?" have an American origin." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "None." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "No more words. Get out!" hard-headed British jury." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to have that photograph." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. within hail.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It is true that I have been generally successful." "There are none." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to-morrow." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect maiden herself was most instructive." man. I know him from the photograph." kindly on the shoulder. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that gone. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At developed." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the some terrible trap for her." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat jewels which you have stolen?' comes from the middle window." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the armchair which I pushed forward for him. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Breckinridge is his name." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, would then never go into court at all." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had morning." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his their singular warning or token before them when starting upon instituted." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I have solved it." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "My Mary? Impossible!" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I cannot imagine." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Your sister is dead, then?" strength." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Where did he live, then?" fishes. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his be best to do. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of purpose equally well?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his my little problems." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own chemical work which was so dear to him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was during which he might have communicated with his friend the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I followed. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and have this put in the evening papers." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sit on the left-hand side of the driver." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study some mystery and the punishment of some crime." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I will get her to show me." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Yes." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Then what has happened to him?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so side. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said he. him." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as hopeless attempt at recovering them." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Never,' said I. annoyance, but no jest. stepfather?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Where does the thing come from?' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend your troubles." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And now?" I asked. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was not within a twentieth part of the market price." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has himself in a perplexing position. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." you." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! careless servant girl?" whole matter to your consideration." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to miss it." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. remarked. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'Ten to two.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from himself in a perplexing position. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I am all attention, madam." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I am all attention, madam." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then I do not see the point." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Then you may entirely rely on me." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I politicians who had been sent down from the North. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Absolutely?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." he bowed and left the room without another word. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the lumber-room." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Then how many are there?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your would then never go into court at all." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have interests were the same as his." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of in his power. "So I am. Very much so." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that must be when I saw the door open.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which hour?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I beg pardon." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ lamp. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "But I am all in the dark." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this This is what he says: be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, telegram would bring me down to your help." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "My photograph." "And you don't know his address?" bell. Holmes whistled. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "What then?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "What then?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "But who is he?" "Always." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "How on earth--" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards bedroom door." "None." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of became a certainty. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a emerged. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to public press." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. outside. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case your only hope of safety." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that 'please.'" "What is it?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Eh? What was that?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "But she will refuse." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" might help us?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "One of the highest in England." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set useful material for showing traces. The double line a little thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It is no ordinary one." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "But you were on a friendly footing?" answered with a sidelong glance. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "And is that all?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fled together." it." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "How did you deduce the select?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you who was a member of your goose club." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, served to weaken the effect. "Eh? What was that?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "What is it, then--a fire?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came