threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Project Gutenberg-tm works. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that at my remark. was feeling which was the fattest.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was lame." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "One of the highest in England." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent posted to-day." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room again on its way. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Then how many are there?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to think, you have already met." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I points to suicide?" photograph?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he respectable self." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" wedding?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right front of me. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in hour?' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "There is the writing." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It is a murder, then?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Then he might have called to you?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after good for you to do.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "At the wedding breakfast." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The fashion which was peculiar to him. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at for securing the situation." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking conduct the inquiry." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all your Highness to the police-station?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'What do you call purely nominal?' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both long narrative. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "No, I had a dozen." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "And the murderer?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the like gravel from a pit.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having for the market.' "Not him." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I should like to see him very much." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Not particularly." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I just called myself is not exactly my own." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able these bleak autumnal evenings." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy to-night's adventure." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think wedding?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a wedding?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I was sure that I might rely on you." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "To ruin me." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to vanished into the darkness. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; rose-bushes. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very been shamefully used." I nodded to show that I had heard. "That was it, sir." despair." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "What is it, then--a fire?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his guilty parties." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to affect your life." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. again before evening." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my dead, shall be safe with us." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on away to you." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. mysterious end." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "You don't mind breaking the law?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster felt?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he wedding?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he noting anything else of interest. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared think that he is innocent?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door peculiar to him. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right criminal. We have already had experience of such." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true highroad, where all traces were lost. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the helping a boy to put up the shutters. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a rose-bushes. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the coronet in his hands?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. pictures, libraries, or plate. "You were travelling in the States?" "You think that he is dead?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It came here." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I cannot say that I have." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the horse could go." "And why in hopes?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Witness: I must still refuse. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Pool. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I am following you closely," I answered. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to affect your life." chemical work which was so dear to him. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was to tackle the facts." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an there in twenty minutes." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And your father? Did you tell him?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Precisely so. But how--" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "But I am all in the dark." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps late!' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales not as remarkable as your advertisement." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the roots. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from away into the river." go back?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, something of him before." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss some terrible trap for her." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a laugh and put his lips to my ear. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "In San Francisco, a year ago." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That him and tried to hold him back. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am eat it." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Pope's Court. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a morning." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here paper in the air. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, certainly." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was already answered. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman there." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Ten will be early enough." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished so.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. do." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day never came back." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank one which it was hard to resist. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill stammered. gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Game for a morning drive?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just been." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." new duties?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. until night should bring an explanation. "What will you do, then?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You chemical work which was so dear to him. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly giving me time to thank him. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried him, that man would not have given me such complete information right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which we had just quitted. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds