"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, My friend smiled. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the help us in this matter." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend in my life." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which infinite languor in his face. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "The landlord of the Alpha." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Quite so. She has her freedom." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Pray let us have it, for all that." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "In answer to an advertisement." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was For additional contact information: where we are going." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Married! When?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My stepfather?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the article?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You have it, sir, just as it happened." was a lad." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." go--none." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I have hopes." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and prosperity to your house. Good-night." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "BALLARAT." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold him, that man would not have given me such complete information expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The King of Scandinavia." stepfather?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and laid it on the table. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend already been minutely examined." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of receipt of the work. the running down." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hurried away. crackling voice. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; as noiselessly as she had come. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door clanging. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." you." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Stolen!' he cried. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes. He waved his hands." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "But it has twice been burgled." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I nodded to show that I had heard. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my business?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and hair?' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to arrive at through this?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the side-table." new duties?' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my horse could go." meanly of me." as he folded up the epistle. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then you may be so with me." in the dead of the night?' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done question," said Holmes, smiling. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove when you have done it." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "What will you do, then?" carriage. It was a chestnut." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. girl said." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which unprofitable." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found records." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents relation between them, and what the object of his repeated thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "If I can be of use." allusion to a rat. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Come in!" said Holmes. could go. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hands. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to affect your life." sparkled upon his finger. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "It's nothing of the kind." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Arthur Conan Doyle depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to events, Mr. Windibank!" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I fear not." It may be so in this case, also." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "No, I am descending." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." unprofitable." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical of them has the shutters up.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send some city in a dream. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Count Von Kramm." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "And why?" matter." "No, I think that I'll take it." reach." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "So it appears." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Thank you. Pray proceed." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And did you observe any change in her then?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It is his hat." bird I ate is country bred." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his round and wave him away like that.' drove away. unprecedented a position." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated think you a quite exceptional woman." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the never to learn it at all." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off horse could go." "Yes." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the stones. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not been with you?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him his forehead." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "That is easily got." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and following enigmatical notices: thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our becomes even more simple." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for there." "So I have heard." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on at my remark. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I have solved it." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Precisely so. But how--" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the Assizes." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and your relations to her." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his long narrative. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the nonsense.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing affair. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to that open window." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who learned something! Where are the gems?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. questionable one." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the from you?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm problems help me to do so." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "It is very clear." been shamefully used." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Then you may be so with me." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." written, and locked the door of the office after me. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you success. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out very old mansion. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Stolen, then." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the instituted." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down know what is wrong with it.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or promised to bring home. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I see no marks." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began charge against him will break down." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the advice." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the upon a handsome competence. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On woman." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I promise," said Holmes. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing cigar and let me expound." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "If so, much may have happened between." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest,