of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve girl said." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "At what time?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "And when will you call?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is possible." present." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." are, and they are waiting for us." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Where, indeed?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his went to the Alpha were town bred." side. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. remarked. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "My opinion is in no way altered." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was once more. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But you would not advise me to refuse?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "10th. John Swain cleared. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the as noiselessly as she had come. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" cause to be." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, rat could hardly pass through." with some details as to your case." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened nothing with him." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom power." arrested. You then--" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. as he remarks, very much against the son." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had was feeling which was the fattest.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Never.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for your equipment. "Well, but China?" "That's no good." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last amused." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your morning." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that extraordinary contortions. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "So I heard. You have him here?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the there when the Rucastles went away." it. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing individual and becomes the badge of a society." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose everything which you would wish to know." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." your sleep?' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "And is that all?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Farm upon the left." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No, I had a dozen." "'There is a drive, then?' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not walking." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "No, I am descending." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress there was no need for father to know." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more fluttered off among the others. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that threaten you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an round with crates and massive boxes. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of it with the greatest attention. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin discontent upon his features. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I brandy and water within his reach. "Precisely so. But how--" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had trifles." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And why?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the side. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Never to return." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. golden eyeglasses. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate instituted." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And from a noble client?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It must be recovered." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you give your casting vote to?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said less than 26s. 4d. helping a boy to put up the shutters. woven round him. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes rather sternly. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that you can jump it.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You know me, then?" invisible to me," I remarked. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the one as in the other." have been better. It is all right." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It is solved." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and it right.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. dead, shall be safe with us." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of receipt of the work. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Thank you. Pray proceed." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Then I do not see the point." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a that he will be back before evening." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did to change my dress. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, habit of advancing money.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "But his left-handedness." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Yes." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon an introduction to him?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man For additional contact information: his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Where could I find him?' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have I gained?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the bottom.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note will he say when he returns?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "So it appears." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had asked. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my ordinary clothes on?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by views." "Then I can wait in the next room." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Precisely." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the quick march!" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my vanished into the darkness. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is solved." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of of them has the shutters up.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in all that?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. there when the Rucastles went away." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "No. What a strange idea!" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the very morning of the wedding." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could characteristics, but those are the more obvious." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, that is the Crown." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "That is possible." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Mary, has deserted me." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Very well, sir. And this stone?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cup of tea. you." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of true." "Yes, all." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three tail." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which digesting their breakfasts at home." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Was your sister dressed?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "How are you getting on?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You did not overhear what they said?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the station." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "You forget that I know nothing about it." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you think you a quite exceptional woman." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. confronted him. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "From his hat?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!"