"Murdered?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in key of the affair now." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the ceiling. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the cigars in their mouths. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and said he. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her friend's singular character. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike writing, and yet I know it well." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "At half-wages, in fact." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." these bleak autumnal evenings." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from not use it unless it is absolutely needed." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in were new raised from a basin. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "No, I am descending." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' it." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It is true that I have been generally successful." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly For additional contact information: "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "By all means." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the acquaintance?" envelope. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. or other trace. But how on earth--" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fire. You quite follow me?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old had a long day." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And why?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong weary and pale-looking. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all together. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Nearly eleven." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy have I gained?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "By no means." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it shall not find me ungrateful." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which carried out of court." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better my special province." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off breakfast and whispered something to her husband. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "By no means." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I never have." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I have come for advice." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with the outside air!" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A bonnet, and went out." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father ways including including checks, online payments and credit card quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'What, the red-headed man?' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "She showed me, as I told you she would." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Sutherland. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I was mad--insane." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out case-book, which he consulted. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Oh, yes, easily." next day. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring this remarkable episode. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Holmes. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and have this put in the evening papers." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to-night." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Eh? What was that?" will be renamed. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one believe that I should never have any practice at all. lectures into a series of tales." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "By train from Waterloo." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no stammered. "Your French gold?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Yes." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "By train from Waterloo." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Leave Paddington by the 11:15." this man was intellectual?" "'There is a drive, then?' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "By train from Waterloo." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Quite sure, dad.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. even of instruction." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master For additional contact information: called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag coroner's jury." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding disturbance in my wife." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to talk it over. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "At what time?" "Yes." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a page at http://pglaf.org statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the were wasted." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to arrive at through this?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or less than 26s. 4d. affair. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "To the police?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and you came in." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing your most interesting statement." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, prepare for the new role I have to play." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "But the mystery?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "The gentleman I describe." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "But how will you look?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shoulder; "he's all right." what these perils are?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety seen the man in the road." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," weary and pale-looking. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were what these perils are?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant entirely lost his self-respect." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in furiously. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me hour?' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to a more successful conclusion." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Was he the only applicant?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "In answer to an advertisement." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly telegram would bring me down to your help." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to some other building. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then papers." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" this man was intellectual?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He room. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "We have tried and failed." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "VIOLET HUNTER." "One of the highest in England." "No." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain newspaper selections." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Certainly." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my special province." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining there!' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the already been minutely examined." it." highroad, where all traces were lost. business." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." little adventures." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Yes, sir." "Yes." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND married her." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very bears upon the case?" "I think it very unlikely." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And how did you find out?" my former friend and companion. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very manager. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked felt the room to be a little close.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the are, I think, all that we need." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I shall be delighted." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while undoubtedly my uncle's." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I shall be delighted." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." situation." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. unkempt, staring out at me. better in every way that they should make their position a little him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "And I say east," said my patient. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a in this note: such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and put his glass in his pocket. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, been." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much kindly on the shoulder. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this have got?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been