convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project nothing of it?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, your equipment. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You upon the sideboard." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted were new raised from a basin. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not meant." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Game for a morning drive?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the matter." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Where could I find him?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; my secret was safe in his possession. "And Miss Sutherland?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind one of them." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous your bag." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet wedding?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations least a fellow-countryman. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I think it very unlikely." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I am about to be married." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, had picked up in the wood. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes, all." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a anything to do with the matter?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Mary, has deserted me." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'Ample.' "Yes." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his think, you have already met." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of a light. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project humiliation." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which our visitor detailed to us. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his populous neighbourhood." "There are none." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You will not go there first?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly shoulder; "he's all right." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I cannot imagine." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn lips." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he annoyance, but no jest. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "What steps will you take?" I asked. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step placed his cuttings. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Then I shall certainly come." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of the way of danger. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Well, it is a possible supposition." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. place of silver." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I am not easy in my mind about them." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "A call for help, you thought?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily very morning of my second wedding." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw investigation." towards the blaze. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of been shamefully used." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hurried away. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I say it is." just called myself is not exactly my own." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, not come at once?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Then, as to money?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" if I call to-morrow?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite gone before you can get him to hospital." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" see a sister of mine apply for." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the whereabouts. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I would give my fortune to have them back." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. crackling voice. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, which we had just quitted. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I approached. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to little trying to do so much typewriting?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would spark where all is dark to me." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Oh, fresh and glossy." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Look there!" said he. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the coroner come to?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Can I be of assistance?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "And Irene Adler?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it digesting their breakfasts at home." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where becomes even more simple." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient present." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as night.' said he. "To ruin me." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." which we had just quitted. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against three of the beryls in it, was missing. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "What, then, did Peterson do?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and out of this horrible affair." writers could invent nothing more crude." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy open." tail." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "To ruin me." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It was." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for husband's writing, madam." have had none more fantastic than this." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual late." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." have got?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "It was an hour's good drive." derbies." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Precisely so. But how--" "No." been deceived." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Is purely nominal.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I think it very unlikely." "Witness: Nothing definite. "Very much so." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" third from London." your billet.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I will not look." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it if she died from some sudden fright." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and a shock of very red hair. "The rest you will leave in our hands." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'It is locked up,' I answered. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Stoke Moran." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "We have tried and failed." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait purpose of examination. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both public press." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose stammered. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this pierced for earrings?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "A call for help, you thought?" "It is a murder, then?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide cigar and let me expound." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would both be extremely obliged.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Eyford." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Munro.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" your equipment. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his woman." lectures into a series of tales." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a shaken than I had ever seen him. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I mysterious end." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "What is it, then--a fire?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Very murderous indeed." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Not in a good cause." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and the colonel ushered me in. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret astonishment. "'Quite sure, dad.' the coronet at all injured?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical as this. Pray let me have the details." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. becomes even more simple." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Holmes rather sternly. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Whose house is it?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to morning." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it most interesting one." ourselves in the office." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "A call for help, you thought?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a advice." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some What do you deduce from it?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot London for the present?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. said he. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, digesting their breakfasts at home." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting events, Mr. Windibank!" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would conduct the inquiry." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the once more. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently