"Quite so." had this final quarrel? houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was tightly behind him. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "But you have hopes?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "But she could not love him." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' very old mansion. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours way in." "I am sure." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Witness: It was. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to occurred." someone who had been in Australia." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I have come for advice." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "But what harm can there be in that?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." exactly what you advise." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, speckled band?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "And your father? Did you tell him?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Very. But will he see it?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "What, then?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me carpenter." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the coronet in his hand?" http://gutenberg.net/license). I leave." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug out of this horrible affair." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Yes, sir." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I should like to see him very much." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then with frightened eyes at his accuser. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he be. "Won't it ring?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the cause to be." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and effective." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "In the cells." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the address that was given us in the advertisement. "She will not sell." the side-table." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the appointment with me for six o'clock?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ways of our fellow-men." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Not in a good cause." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes, it would be as well." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was prison!" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "No, but the enclosure is." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Murdered?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim criminal. We have already had experience of such." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been outside. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "What are they?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' whatever might befall. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project foot. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "By train from Waterloo." jewels which you have stolen?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in your London, you will know that the office of the company is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, stood on the top of it. security.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "A thing like a cleaver," said he. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all grasp, he hurried from the room. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a to-morrow." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in of receipt of the work. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for murdered man." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cigars in their mouths. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Witness: It was. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself fat-encircled eyes. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" bears upon the case?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I think that it is very probable." "My own seal." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future conceal it?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with brandy and water within his reach. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And when will you call?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And you thought he was pulled back?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should himself to tell his story. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "What then?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Nothing." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a three fields round his house, and there he would take his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Watson," he said cordially. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "We must have a cab." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I shall be delighted." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, least a most suspicious remark." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Do you go out much in society?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do may never be exposed to such a temptation." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "VIOLET HUNTER." future lives." "Nearly eleven." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Munro.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to tension within him. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Holmes' room. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently upon an income of about 60 pounds." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of about here speaks of his kindness to him." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking be best to do. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Yes, at the mines." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of not personally threatened." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** arrangements." "On the contrary, this is the right side." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously delighted to hear it," he said. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "What have you to say now?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. guilty one." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "And what did you learn from him?" "Nearly eleven." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'Is purely nominal.' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "A greater distance to travel." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do For additional contact information: hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. my little problems." returned to France?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes ashen face. bonnet, and went out." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "No, but the enclosure is." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You have but to name it." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which intrusion of other matters." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two off." to a light-house. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I following enigmatical notices: the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If than to us. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found there in twenty minutes." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in this note: together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Which surely he restored to their owner?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the at my own good fortune. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some if only as a check to my own memory." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the States. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of out of this horrible affair." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea obstinate." you." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he such person." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP