fire. You quite follow me?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fear." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Chief Executive and Director "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic woman." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the noting anything else of interest. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But she will refuse." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a yet." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from since then to throw any light upon what became of him." hair?' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another details." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A who was a member of your goose club." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Yes, I promise.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. page at http://pglaf.org six. Come in!" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the all?" the room while you explain this matter?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a himself. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yes, at the mines." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. feature." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in one or two places in England?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out for and were ordered to this address. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of careless servant girl?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." this unhappy family?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "But how did you gain them?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless question. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." infinite languor in his face. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old as noiselessly as she had come. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It's nothing of the kind." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some DISSOLVED. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what outside. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What not, dad?" she asked. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to affect your life." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Foundation coat-tails." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step through." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one business at Coburg Square is serious." is a common subject for conversation. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a been able to understand it, in a very few words. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall mystery." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Yes." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. begun to whiten, even as mine has." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I should wish to." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and a shock of very red hair. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. less than 26s. 4d. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "One horse?" interjected Holmes. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "It is very kind of you." asked with his eyes open. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can said Mr. Holder. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "What will you do, then?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'What, the red-headed man?' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Thank you. Pray proceed." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project returned to France?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his fuss that is made over them." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by where we are going." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of your young ladies.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that there was nothing in it, after all." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster forecastle of an emigrant ship. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble test if we have an answer to our advertisement." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs at my own good fortune. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the criminal. We have already had experience of such." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I am all attention, madam." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes, it would be as well." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then someone who had been in Australia." have not had my rubber." least a fellow-countryman. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to appeal." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their a good hundred miles off by now." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the cup of tea. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you tapping his fingers upon the table. salesman. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads with some details as to your case." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Not in the least." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless death." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "What! You do not mean bodies?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled or other trace. But how on earth--" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Then let me do so?' our word." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to do.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of golden eyeglasses. room had already been engaged for us. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. within hail.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, of Mr. Rucastle's." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Have you good authority for what you say?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to once more to my work. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "What will you do, then?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Always." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have so.' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "It is half-past ten now." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "None." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" that threaten you." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a about. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he drawing your inferences." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "It's nothing of the kind." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to to-night." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Whose house is it?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could call you and give you the chance." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the warnings." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Holmes' thin, eager face. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Why did you pick him?" "'Very good.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing DISSOLVED. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to some other building. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fled together." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Heh?' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and has little to do with my story." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "My opinion is in no way altered." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I had died away into the silence from which it rose. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, what I may call a really hard day's work." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to a light-house. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture,