importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think come either from the window or the door. My attention was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his points to suicide?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I would pay ten." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And Miss Sutherland?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sutherland?" that threaten you." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to his chemical studies. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that I may have something better before very many minutes are scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "This photograph!" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'How far from the body?' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the DAMAGE. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found The events in question occurred in the early days of my shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from thought that she would have been so carried away." more solid." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At definite end. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his father's place of business?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some appeared upon the scene." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I cannot as yet see any connection." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his fortune, and I went back to pa. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At such person." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. companion quietly. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'In my own bureau.' "By no means." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me entirely lost his self-respect." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely hopeless attempt at recovering them." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you here and I will read it to you: doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "May I see it?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Then I am your man." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Not him." had formerly been in part my own. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Pray continue your narrative." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right information in his hands the value of which he did not himself written. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my sufficient punishment." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes, it would be as well." bare slabs of marble. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Is 4 pounds a week.' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are newspaper selections." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "This photograph!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, observed. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a rooms." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fashion which was peculiar to him. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was bedroom door." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. it. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I am sure." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the nursery. "Proceed, then." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A very peculiar words of the dying woman?" me. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "So I heard. You have him here?" upon the shelf for the interim." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Perhaps I have." confronted him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said never will be, entirely cleared up. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with purpose of examination. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were yet." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I have hopes." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my she used." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us details." burst out into a roar of laughter. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" when you have done it." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a ago." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." three of the beryls in it, was missing. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the only touch the interest." side. meanly of me." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I would apply.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "A call for help, you thought?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some brought there to personate someone, and the real person is trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest as yours." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the driver. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to a more successful conclusion." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington stammered. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "That is unusual in a young girl." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "No more words. Get out!" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Whose house is it?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "It is true that I have been generally successful." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any hair?' presented more singular features than that which was associated Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "And Irene Adler?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel new acquaintance to Baker Street. neither fascinating nor artistic." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Then you may entirely rely on me." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small at a side door. "It must be recovered." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I posted to-day." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the you in yours." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a morning." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after forecastle of an emigrant ship. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is tell him that I know him to be innocent." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and looked back. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and direction." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "But the mystery?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I was concerned in it." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of crackling voice. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What! a murderous attack?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two you came in." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine The police have openly confessed that they can at present make here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as so.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You have compromised yourself seriously." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and quickly through a disagreeable task. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt thirty. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand some place of shelter and let the county police know what has abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment there has been an enclosure here!" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Come in!" said he. have not had my rubber." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And who is her maid?" more terrible than the truth. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the highly," said Holmes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather purpose equally well?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in My friend smiled. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Quite sure, dad.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that you can jump it.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You have carte blanche." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing woven round him. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say business." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a putting in the horse. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "There is the writing." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the is four-and-twenty." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his several quiet little villages up there." upon an income of about 60 pounds." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'And the work?' became a certainty. "And you don't know his address?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. friends, not even his own brother. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle them?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other business." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now interest. They are important, you understand, without being doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." horse could go." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Then you may entirely rely on me." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he