We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed on re-entering her father's house?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Why? What do you mean?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote tear off another piece?' "How do you know, then?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom ourselves in the office." from you?" than to us. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Does that suggest anything?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "On Monday." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I saw her in conversation with her maid." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Quite sure, dad.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, not, dad?" she asked. disappearance of these gems?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the several quiet little villages up there." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the inner apartment." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post passage and a tap at the door. politicians who had been sent down from the North. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case careless servant girl?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will then?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Oh, the cause is excellent!" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, clang of the bell. felt the room to be a little close.' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you formed some opinion?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of cigars in their mouths. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "May I see it?" "Yes." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, back into the street. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Again Holmes raved in the air. outsides of the windows. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and manager. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I purpose of examination. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and glanced through. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one carried out of court." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something whether it answered to the description of any of their perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Is he quiet?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the is," said he presently: Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Pray let us have it, for all that." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this father's place of business?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too with you?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Then I can wait in the next room." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "And now?" I asked. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "But I have heard all that you have heard." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, crime. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Oh, no.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned read over the extraordinary announcement. "Breckinridge is his name." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It is possible." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The decline of his fortunes, then?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the locked. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but British peeress.'" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the our word." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little congenial hunt. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "So it appears." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the bottom.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Has he come with you to-night?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I have come for advice." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "On Monday." the side-table." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Did your wife hear all this?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "My private note-paper." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich be. formed some opinion?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Certainly, madam." "Nothing?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I closing the door. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'I have heard so.' hopeless attempt at recovering them." "What then?" take the flies, but not before." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "No, I think that I'll take it." "But the mystery?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many strength in the others." "Thank you. And your address?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of was feeling which was the fattest.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Holmes' face clouded over. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of this gang." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Then what has happened to him?" "No legal papers or certificates?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sufficient punishment." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and outside. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Get out!" said he. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all has little to do with my story." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fact, we may call it conclusive." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "To ruin me." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Yes.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad she used." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'Yes, I promise.' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the King without delay." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Was your sister dressed?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and to a more successful conclusion." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own prisoner's face. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It is his hat." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND you?' said I. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got overpowering excitement and concern. you want, then?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that threaten you." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I beg pardon." the room while you explain this matter?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What! Had he lost his wife?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide him. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I am still in the dark." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." must be when I saw the door open.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the business." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Yes." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in the dead of the night?' zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE coat-tails." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "By all means." strength in the others." "How about poison?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk looking up at the numbers of the houses." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a seen the man in the road." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch recover the gem." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ this remarkable episode. your Highness to the police-station?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have been better. It is all right." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position disappearance of the bride.'" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" started for the Temple to see my husband. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and during that time.' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep God! What an exposure! What can I do?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the problems help me to do so." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Nearly eleven." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the pierced for earrings?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was putting in the horse. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the nonsense.' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the questioning and rather startled gaze. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Tell me all about it,' said I. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "So I have heard." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little