"It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been side. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I cannot imagine." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "None." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman there has been an enclosure here!" "Ample." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of know that the truth is known." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." ventilator." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" seven miles from Eyford Station.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Certainly not.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a could not have written that. It is the German who is so occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a States. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide dates and names. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" wedding?" more terrible than the truth. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See in the port of London." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to other means.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Not yet." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "What then?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from to tell." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing in the hope of finding them." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the window, rose as we entered. did not hear it also.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six three fields round his house, and there he would take his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have most interesting one." next day. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in bedroom door." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and who was a member of your goose club." "I will, Miss Turner." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Yes." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up goes." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. shoulder; "he's all right." "What are they?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as are windows in it, of course?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "He might." said I. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "But what harm can there be in that?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And how?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence showing my impatience. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said yet." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." is so. I know all about McCarthy." from you?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." entirely devoid of interest." room had already been engaged for us. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss who was a member of your goose club." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently him to be an active member of the medical profession." bachelor.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into careless servant girl?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed that before taking the final step I should like to submit the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not hour." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." believe that I should never have any practice at all. lost nothing by them." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. arrangements." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that I can to serve you." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Well, but China?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached brandy and water within his reach. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Very much so." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of views." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "When did it break out?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must place of silver." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Have you good authority for what you say?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Where does the thing come from?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter arrangements." Cross for the Continent." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the think that he is innocent?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of again." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune me." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of indiscretion." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of Mr. Rucastle's." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of nonsense.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the inner apartment." and put his glass in his pocket. that done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular anything to do with the matter?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner hereditary King of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "She showed me, as I told you she would." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his lost his Christmas dinner." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No. What a strange idea!" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, know what is wrong with it.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "None." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he morning." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she name is different." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to other means.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Pray do so." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Did your wife hear all this?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she could not account in any way for the presence of the missing mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the little opening for the ventilator is." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free that threaten you." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Was he the only applicant?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in thin legs towards the fire. "Yes." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the locked. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been on re-entering her father's house?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "None. Neville wrote those words." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his astonishment. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you do it in twenty minutes!' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Nearly eleven." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to green of the new foliage. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You think that he is dead?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' side. photograph?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which she slowly sank and died without having recovered her America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that threaten you." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of salesman. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "What I expected to see." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our copied or distributed: "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Was there a secret marriage?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for chill to my heart. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the digesting their breakfasts at home." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come my former friend and companion. ceremony." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "What! Had he lost his wife?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Was there a secret marriage?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two quick march!" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in darkness. "Get out!" said he. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do writing, and yet I know it well." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread interested in these little problems, and since you are good ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "He might." whereabouts. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and laid it on the table. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight emerged. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "My last client of the sort was a king." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." The summons was a brief and urgent one. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with charge against him will break down." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his appeal." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in in him." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the in the port of London." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." everything which you would wish to know." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It is possible." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop his face which made him a very different person to the round, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of the one which your family is now devouring." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. remarked. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Then I do not see the point." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you papers diligently of late, have you not?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, up this clue while it is still hot." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the