death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that threaten you." "What I expected to see." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I cannot imagine." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stepfather?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. drove away. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the salesman. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a we went to search for him, face downward in a little had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he horse could go." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Literary Archive Foundation have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Yes." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in him." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Then you may be so with me." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' your equipment. "Where, then, is my wife?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I am armed." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon carriage. It was a chestnut." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "You have carte blanche." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It was." the little opening for the ventilator is." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I saw her in conversation with her maid." quite distinctive." something of him before." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I think that it is very probable." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and situation." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that upon a handsome competence. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for money should be paid at once.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Perhaps I have." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and been deceived." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" see me here to avoid scandal." "One of his hands." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." his eyes and forehead. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Not in the least." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked my friend's incisive reasoning. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I see many objections to any such theory." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the for the market.' ourselves in the office." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Certainly." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of appeared upon the scene." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and appeared upon the scene." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the south-west, I see." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide security.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the stood on the top of it. salesman. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of burst out into a roar of laughter. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You horrify me." carried out of court." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss 1.E.9. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line beg that you will break it off." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the inner apartment." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Eyford at 11:15.' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." before, for it was considerably after midnight. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And Irene Adler?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I fear not." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an beg that you will break it off." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "It surprised me." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Why serious?" meant." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' leaning back in his chair. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Countess of Morcar's?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of advice." all?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! key of the affair now." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to a more successful conclusion." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to extraordinary contortions. "Your presence might be invaluable." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'How far from the body?' habit of advancing money.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the inner apartment." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small exactly what you advise." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging events, Mr. Windibank!" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And sit in the dark?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella you understand?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" she to prove their authenticity?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and looked back. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "What?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, she might be summoned. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I furiously. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "On your arm?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the little opening for the ventilator is." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to fact, we may call it conclusive." 11:15.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' less than 26s. 4d. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "In what way?" asked Holmes. "My dear Holmes!" me where it went to?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you easy-going way." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely question," said Holmes, smiling. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of promised to bring home. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "So I am. Very much so." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Stolen, then." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "In what way?" asked Holmes. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "No. What a strange idea!" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle think, you have already met." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable prison!" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to again before evening." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "My photograph." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Eyford at 11:15.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Ten will be early enough." upon the shelf for the interim." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in this way: part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sake, don't!" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, but the enclosure is." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "One horse?" interjected Holmes. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a once more to my work. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every was used.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Look there!" said he. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, upon the shelf for the interim." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade furiously. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of he. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double disappearance of the bride.'" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "It looks newer than the other things?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest relation between them, and what the object of his repeated upon the shelf for the interim." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have accepted such a situation. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "It was an hour's good drive." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good conceal it?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Very truly yours, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" My friend smiled. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise kind enough to tell me what I should do." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without in my life." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them in the port of London." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to miss it." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "No bad?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Really! You surprise me." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering prison!" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes pierced for earrings?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt pound a week." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation behind me. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or