photograph?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his pity, because in other respects you would really have done very asked with his eyes open. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that despaired of." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out danger is over." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'You cannot say what it was?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy during the last few years, and there are many noble families to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, head. So long, then!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for for securing the situation." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it never came back." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded it with his own hands." manager. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'It is locked up,' I answered. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far clang of the bell. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "9th. McCauley cleared. 1.E.9. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and effective." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and not personally threatened." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather excitement. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to-night?' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in cigars in their mouths. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make this unhappy family?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Thank you. And your address?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and 1.F. there was no need for father to know." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with present." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'And what salary do you ask?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "That is it on the dressing-table." "Then, as to money?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of note-paper. It read in this fashion: cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to himself to hunt down. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be least a most suspicious remark." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the armchair which I pushed forward for him. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I cannot think." upon an income of about 60 pounds." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a union?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the matter." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "None." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You returning from some small jollification and was making his way that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the night.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "They are typewritten," I remarked. should be so warm over such a trifle." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Was the window open?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "No sign of it?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. character. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Yes, he did." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had carried out of court." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, entirely devoid of interest." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens stood on the top of it. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she what do you think they found in the pockets?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head back to my heart. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I have solved it." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the morning and make my own way in the world.' be.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a will be renamed. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, look dissatisfied." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But not more so than I to find you." attention." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. of this gang." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the even of instruction." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis McCarthy's innocence. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I was lame." not personally threatened." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular several quiet little villages up there." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It is very clear." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought bird I ate is country bred." "Nothing." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no works. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Yes, only one." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to purpose of examination. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching records." in a very precise fashion." even of instruction." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and that he would see to anything that turned up. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the driver. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to-night." "ARAT," I read. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Has he come with you to-night?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I have it here in my museum." the coronet in his hands?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Whose house is it?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Mrs. Toller serenely. "But the mystery?" colonel looking down at me. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And how have you succeeded?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a believe that I should never have any practice at all. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I will do it." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I am armed." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with http://gutenberg.net/license). the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'I am sure if I had known--' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. grasp, he hurried from the room. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Pray continue your narrative." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your equipment. "Murdered?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "None." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a fishes. that I may have something better before very many minutes are dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to business?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It is his hat." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken strong and stiff." "Nothing." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to unprecedented a position." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "No, distinctly professional." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and forbidden door. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, written, and locked the door of the office after me. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Very murderous indeed." may have an influence upon European history." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "From his hat?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And any little problem which you may submit to me." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Yes, certainly." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet forebodings. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "How did he come?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by have had none more fantastic than this." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "And is that all?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Well?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." criminal. We have already had experience of such." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sufficient punishment." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was shining brightly. "My dear Holmes!" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope copied or distributed: freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual even so self-evident a thing as that." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle threw himself down with his face to the pillow. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the it. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "By all means." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. bird of prey. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low indeed which he could not unravel. "I am still in the dark." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what has little to do with my story." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the room while you explain this matter?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part now. It seems that there had been some informality about their clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Again Holmes raved in the air. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of a little more before I quite committed myself. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the could not have written that. It is the German who is so clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "No, I think that I'll take it." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was used.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I