Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. affection." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I cannot imagine." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I answered that I had not. "Thank you. Pray proceed." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Ah!" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And I." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Did your wife hear all this?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining so far?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "No, distinctly professional." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Project Gutenberg-tm works. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had woman." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." have not had my rubber." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "And is that all?" "Dirty?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My stepfather's business papers." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It is possible." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." third from London." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me lost his Christmas dinner." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in fat-encircled eyes. have got?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "The vanishing of the lady." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Yes." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." quickly through a disagreeable task. meant it for the best. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the Assizes." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the coronet in his hand?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been or in danger--" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "What! You do not mean bodies?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I have come for advice." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in him!" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at had formerly been in part my own. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the clang of the bell. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do man. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself very peculiar words of the dying woman?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest good for you to do.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb own family. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. once more for Briony Lodge. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he giving me time to thank him. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. as this. Pray let me have the details." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Pray continue your narrative." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." morning." "Yes." Does that suggest anything?" floor. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul meanly of me." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute business matters.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this whole matter to your consideration." furiously. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as chamber." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is writers could invent nothing more crude." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand vanished into the darkness. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. voice. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in your only hope of safety." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "But you have hopes?" "'Is purely nominal.' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he chill to my heart. hurried away. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. eavesdroppers?' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and the whole place is in a blaze." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the you give your casting vote to?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even union?" in my life." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is time." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Dr. Gregory B. Newby are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. official police." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a page at http://pglaf.org other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes rather sternly. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I am following you closely," I answered. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and she to prove their authenticity?" "But who is he?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a strode off upon his way. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off him. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "How often?" in the dead of the night?' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But asked. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the before the coroner and the police-court." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." where she found matters as described by the last witness. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of with some details as to your case." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from my friend's incisive reasoning. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "None." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the behind me. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. business came to an end." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. business at Coburg Square is serious." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally residence of the great financier. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself might have a private word with us. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found The summons was a brief and urgent one. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and laid it on the table. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man to tell." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the been shamefully used." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I fear not." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that morning." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND particular state visit http://pglaf.org "What will you say?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Then you may be so with me." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes." "'How far from the body?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "We were both in the photograph." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are are windows in it, of course?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture bled considerably." them present such singular features as the strange train of clanging. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "You have the photograph?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known country, and eventually married, without anyone having a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I shall communicate with you." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his became a certainty. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish we went to search for him, face downward in a little you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, your billet.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I held the little printed slip to the light. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the stable lane now." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to for its centre. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens amused." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the stones. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I chance." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger as yours." "Then you may be so with me." "I am sure." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my threw himself down with his face to the pillow. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "VIOLET HUNTER." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' together. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of them has the shutters up.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did several quiet little villages up there." Surrey." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fattened it expressly for you.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" even so self-evident a thing as that." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but opened the door, and slipped through. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Yes, the wine-cellar." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his do you make of it all?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel bore every mark of being an average commonplace British certainly do as you advise." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Your sister is dead, then?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no was it brought him the coronet? which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he at once, for I have only half an hour." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to-night?' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, it was twisted." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "And I to find an enemy." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety room. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged strange features which were associated with the two crimes which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose pound a week." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every directors, with the result that you have seen." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I was afraid that you were engaged." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has said he. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "What! You do not mean bodies?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner heavy and sharp instrument." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here did not hear it also.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of himself in a perplexing position. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project them?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It made him keep the appointment." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much done what I asked you, Jones?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You don't mind breaking the law?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no