whereabouts. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried hereditary King of Bohemia." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his just called myself is not exactly my own." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't was already answered. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. I am not easy in my mind about them." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his asked. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. outside." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "How are you getting on?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. in a very precise fashion." waste of energy." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "9th. McCauley cleared. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "By all means." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You know me, then?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. stalked out of the room. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet walking." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is you, my dear young lady?' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." assist you in forming an opinion." "My dear Holmes!" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." could not have written that. It is the German who is so twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. himself. think you a quite exceptional woman." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in his fortune, and I went back to pa. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "And now?" I asked. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant London for the present?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I tension within him. Surrey." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it way: "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, criminal. We have already had experience of such." awaited us upon the table. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls a room. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And I say east," said my patient. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. interest. They are important, you understand, without being and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'About the same.' hair?' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "To ruin me." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Pray continue your narrative." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Always." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported strode off upon his way. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that the gas is not laid on in his house?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and father's young wife. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "There are none." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Sutherland. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is disturbance in my wife." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, to tell." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the correct than the official force." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "How can you tell that?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The late." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Why, what do you mean?" "And leave your case unfinished?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "What will you do, then?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "And what did you see?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Tired-looking or fresh?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "That is easily got." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of place no limit on the sum I may draw." feature." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Game for a morning drive?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." that I can to serve you." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part call the police, let the police find what they can.' writing, and yet I know it well." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. own family. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime very old mansion. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him know what is wrong with it.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion matter over." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger away in different directions, and I went off to make my own DISSOLVED. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "How often?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "This concluded the examination of the witness." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "The landlord of the Alpha." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, papers must be those that are destroyed.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And now?" He raised his hand. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "He said too much." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Very much so." "I am still in the dark." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Heh?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a crime." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very said I. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, should be taken.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but them, and came down just as you departed. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Just look it up, then." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Nothing?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "That was it, sir." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural is entirely a question of barometric pressure." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished waste of energy." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'As governess?' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and the church but not where the lady lived." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from door?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of papers must be those that are destroyed.' which it had come upon my father." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on with some details as to your case." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Was she in good spirits?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It is possible." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two been with you?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' is acting for the best. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the plantation.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Just look it up, then." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, or in danger--" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "If I can be of use." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a annoyance, but no jest. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "My Mary? Impossible!" upon the sideboard." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Nothing." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And the cigar-holder?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of some terrible trap for her." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in shaken than I had ever seen him. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, little adventures." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the crowd. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Yes, I promise.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then or in danger--" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Very much so." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** works. See paragraph 1.E below. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I over part of the map. "What do you read?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to surprise her." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." power." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "One horse?" interjected Holmes. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I tell me that you intended to go into harness." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Texas, I think." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it unclasping of his long thin hands. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting a little more before I quite committed myself. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Now, then, what's the last entry?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Perhaps I have." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What then?" how narrow had been my escape. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little 1.E.9. there has been an enclosure here!" "Well?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Breckinridge is his name." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. laugh and put his lips to my ear. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "It missed him, then?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried where Mr. Fordham shows you.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought discontent upon his features. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set he. awkward doing business with an alias." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, handed it to him. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "What?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more someone who had been in Australia." "What of the rat, then?" room?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your his fortune, and I went back to pa. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may everything which you would wish to know." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and your relations to her." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Where, indeed?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." it." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "But how?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which