For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "The Cedars?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the answer." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'Never.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Then I shall certainly come." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of weighed down with some great anxiety. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was trying to your nerves." fire. You quite follow me?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "What is it, then--a fire?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious read it out to me." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But his lameness?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do something of him before." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to started for the Temple to see my husband. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the introspective fashion. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning brandy and water within his reach. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I any more." think you a quite exceptional woman." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The doctor?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. was shining brightly. interested in these little problems, and since you are good handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I am all attention, madam." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at astonishment. see me here to avoid scandal." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the driver. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Where is it, then?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the window, rose as we entered. fishes. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, yes, easily." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that highroad, where all traces were lost. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the acquaintance?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to gentleman's clothes. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But to whom?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow shall not find me ungrateful." "Where did he live, then?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned good for you to do.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his fire. You quite follow me?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and envelope. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' golden eyeglasses. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat to me. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "And I." key of the affair now." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project together. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer recover the gem." the bottom.' examine." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "The doctor?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such together. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a pierced for earrings?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so better in every way that they should make their position a little all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small searched, without anything being found which could incriminate it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Holmes, the busybody!" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and go back?" woman." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the matter?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You horrify me!" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very one else, I think." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She redistribution. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." do." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Nothing?" you in your example." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked leave you to your papers for a little." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and the whole place is in a blaze." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Entirely." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that you saw all that I did." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "No, thank goodness, she did not." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Cross for the Continent." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to take care of herself." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "That also I could fathom." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it unclasping of his long thin hands. "This photograph!" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and inquire as to the address." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Ten to two.' to-night." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was affection." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Again Holmes raved in the air. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "She told me to ask you." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was upon a handsome competence. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Was there a secret marriage?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Then I shall certainly come." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "The best possible." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an nothing with him." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "VIOLET HUNTER." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Pray let us have it, for all that." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. your troubles." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been entirely devoid of interest." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The wedding?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a congratulate you again." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in see me here to avoid scandal." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the best of training." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he made him keep the appointment." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never over part of the map. "What do you read?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I correct than the official force." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and looked back. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the devil!" "The gentleman I describe." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get open." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Pray do so." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he danger is over." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it him!" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to-night?" I asked. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "By no means." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "What will you say?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every already referred to. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case status with the IRS. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You are hungry," I remarked. "And what then?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to what do you think they found in the pockets?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her vague figure huddled up in the darkness. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales point in the dark hollow of his hand. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It was an hour's good drive." photograph?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away introspective fashion. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "How are you getting on?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Here?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." side. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND