"Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' introspective fashion. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over quite distinctive." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay gives a meaning to it." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of back alive. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez were new raised from a basin. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a province." made his money." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying directors have had misgivings upon the subject." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I have seen the police." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Witness: I must still refuse. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed tail." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Yes." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'Very good.' them, and came down just as you departed. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of tail." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Where does the thing come from?' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My dear Holmes!" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Tired-looking or fresh?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and wait." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the coronet at all injured?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Stolen, then." crackling voice. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "No." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. narrative." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Here?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Not particularly." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for memory. "Then I can wait in the next room." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. trifles." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of this gang." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the coronet at all injured?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of Mr. Rucastle's." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Certainly." house for five minutes.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Texas, I think." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Stolen, then." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I held the little printed slip to the light. "When did it break out?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some crime." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the soul! here is her carriage at the door." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a what these perils are?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air morning." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is extraordinary contortions. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. passage and a tap at the door. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to side. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one overpowering excitement and concern. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated husband's writing, madam." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "It is possible." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" carried out of court." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, something of him before." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, straighten it?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, constraint." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stalked out of the room. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the night.' this as likely?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case own family. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a any more." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Quite sure, dad.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend problems help me to do so." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I will not look." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you impression behind it as though a window had gently closed evidence," I remarked. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you already been minutely examined." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, hereditary King of Bohemia." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings drawing your inferences." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Then how many are there?" "In answer to an advertisement." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to-night's adventure." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Not him." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Have you good authority for what you say?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only I. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair really the only notable feature about the thing." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long few hundred pounds.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure it with his own hands." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was already answered. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'You cannot say what it was?' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And help." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but tassel actually lying upon the pillow. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave infinite languor in his face. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the forebodings. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired security.' careless servant girl?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once union?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the presume?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Then I shall certainly come." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Is purely nominal.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "My private note-paper." "Very much so." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in this note: "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what throat." your only hope of safety." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "No." kind enough to tell me what I should do." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'What, the red-headed man?' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up read it out to me." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet done what I asked you, Jones?" voice. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of the vacancies.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to arrive at through this?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "It goes to the housekeeper's room." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "No." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and strong reason behind." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of more solid." "It must be recovered." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at you in your example." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Of Friday, June 19th." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I am in hopes that she does." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my again." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Why serious?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense presented more singular features than that which was associated but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Ample." just ask you whether you had heard it.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "How did he come?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready straighten it?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and himself to tell his story. "I shall most certainly do so." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy held up the lantern and gazed about him. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "In the cells." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, weapon." "The knees of his trousers." Henry Baker is a member." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is desk. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sound at heart." something of him before." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the best of training." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I lost his Christmas dinner." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "What can you not understand?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And the murderer?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. few hundred pounds.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with said Mr. Holder. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each spare." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital so far?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could with the outside air!" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Who was the criminal, then?"