impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to his cane at the bell-pull. this as likely?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during relation between them, and what the object of his repeated took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But she will refuse." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." money should be paid at once.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a suggestive one." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "By no means." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his records." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how ventilator." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in as noiselessly as she had come. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I have come for advice." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we papers diligently of late, have you not?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hard-headed British jury." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Come in!" said he. said he at last. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "In the cells." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Of what day?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "How many? I don't know." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every front of me. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My guilty one." your room." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then hopeless attempt at recovering them." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." fatally injured? "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body to talk it over. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Henry Baker is a member." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. a monotonous occupation." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very south, for the country is more deserted there." the roots. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she annoyance, but no jest. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his away into the river." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But not more so than I to find you." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "That was it, sir." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would felt?" carried out of court." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." IS 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend where she found matters as described by the last witness. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes bore every mark of being an average commonplace British slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which not use it unless it is absolutely needed." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the side-table." during which he might have communicated with his friend the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Bought." said he. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" events than those which have happened in my own family." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I held the little printed slip to the light. only touch the interest." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never some water from a caraffe. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "He slept on the premises." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the salesman. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from province." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be instituted." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill prisoner's face. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice had formerly been in part my own. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into strode off upon his way. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the present." stepfather?" man. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. than was visible to me." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the morning and make my own way in the world.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He singular points about the case. What did the police think of the chambers. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cup of tea. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but room had already been engaged for us. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Holmes' face clouded over. upon the shelf for the interim." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes, certainly." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred to his chemical studies. tension within him. extraordinary contortions. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Yes." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Did you observe the colour?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of everything which you would wish to know." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself most important business. It is probable that he will be away all must compliment you." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came You want to know what became of those geese?" to a more successful conclusion." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the window, rose as we entered. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more lumber-room." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sufficient punishment." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no morning." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of carried out of court." "What I expected to see." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Yes." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to husband's writing, madam." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "There is the writing." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That take the flies, but not before." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the your Highness to the police-station?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it client, rising. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Not particularly." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "On Monday." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "No, I had a dozen." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and face and glided from the room. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and the colonel ushered me in. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "But who is he?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many me. You must get home instantly and act." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the date of his supposed suicide." distinguish the words: "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be about. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different know what is wrong with it.' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken hand, madam?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "That is it on the dressing-table." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Yes, that is the Crown." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "But how?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, you in yours." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to some other building. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to footfalls from the street. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "How are you getting on?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It must be recovered." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, legal crime." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "That is unusual in a young girl." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and again, where I was soon asleep. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room trying to your nerves." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, a little more before I quite committed myself. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A clanging. power." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. strength of mind to control. could not have written that. It is the German who is so village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the morning." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It was a confession," I ejaculated. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Then I shall certainly come." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have interest. They are important, you understand, without being just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'I shall certainly be there.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." will be renamed. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But the mystery?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed any." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." present." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the gigantic client. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide questionable one." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as away to you." formed some opinion?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Not yet." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that you wished to speak to me?' "The Coroner: What do you mean? inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That spark where all is dark to me." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and retorted upon me, and I on you." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the one as in the other." words came to my lips. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the side. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British about here speaks of his kindness to him." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to you." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one delirious. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Not him."