"I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but October 9, 1890. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But how will you look?" of receipt of the work. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and gentleman's clothes. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'Where could I find him?' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled http://www.gutenberg.net "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning could gather together that I was able to avert another public at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this made his money." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he might have a private word with us. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "And now?" I asked. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I cannot as yet see any connection." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and horse could go." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Precisely." "You will not go there first?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But we can't all be." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the driver. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" digesting their breakfasts at home." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the think, you have already met." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." I approached. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the coronet in his hand?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked mysterious end." during which he might have communicated with his friend the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which call it cruel." "'Stolen!' he cried. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I you in yours." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "No, thank goodness, she did not." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, your co-operation." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," excitement. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "No bad?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass present." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and it." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' your only hope of safety." foot. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what as noiselessly as she had come. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass minor matters until to-morrow." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and wall." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES unprecedented a position." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "What, then, did Peterson do?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Yes." "I should like to see him very much." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, for and were ordered to this address. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to brain must have something in it." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "What then?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I will try. What is it?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, this man was intellectual?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Nothing?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, I have one waiting." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "But how will you look?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, you want, then?' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "It is his hat." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with the outside air!" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Has he come with you to-night?" constraint." way in everything. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Never.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at tail." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But you can know nothing of this?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." have an American origin." "Did he not advertise?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with had this final quarrel? so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then you may entirely rely on me." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we south, for the country is more deserted there." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we could go. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in minor matters until to-morrow." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It must be recovered." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Quite so." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the said I. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I am to be neutral?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wedding?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be be there in time for your coming." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 pound a week." felt?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "What do you mean?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have not interfere, come what may. You understand?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "You have but to name it." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, used to be." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "It looks newer than the other things?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." easy-going way." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Really! You surprise me." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'What do you call purely nominal?' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said for the market.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but such attractions and accomplishments?' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each with you?" "And how did you verify them?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "But you have hopes?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Certainly." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "What are they?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "She told me to ask you." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." definite end. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I am all attention, madam." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Edgeware Road. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred deduce something from that?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel come either from the window or the door. My attention was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had drawing your inferences." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for soul! here is her carriage at the door." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without arrangements." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. returning from some small jollification and was making his way the Assizes." soul! here is her carriage at the door." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned danger is over." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Murdered?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to gbnewby@pglaf.org interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative this poor creature." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the running down." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "None." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Mrs. Toller serenely. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "But what is it you wish?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British from you?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I tapping his fingers upon the table. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Eh? What was that?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is answer." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be young Openshaw's." 1.E.9. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your will take you up to see the machine.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "How often?" mystery." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the it right.' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In derbies." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get tapping his fingers upon the table. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest visitors." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any I have it here in my museum." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Yes, I promise.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him without a word or a look. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pound a week." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' do." me where it went to?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It must be recovered." "Who by?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I am sure." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey than was visible to me." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. rooms." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. is four-and-twenty." through." hands. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "One of the highest in England." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Gutenberg-tm License. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it examine." villagers almost as much as their master. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Well." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It is his hat." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And help." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "How did he come?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Did your wife hear all this?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he nonsense.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No, my brougham is waiting." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Thank you. And your address?"