learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin one of the states of the Union." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I am all attention, madam." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gone. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and your relations to her." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: photograph?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Deserted you?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. envelope. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope whether it answered to the description of any of their Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." meant it for the best. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two handed it to him. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They never to learn it at all." business?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached so.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the tragedy. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" individual and becomes the badge of a society." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, woman." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'Yes, I promise.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Game for a morning drive?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your noble correspondent could be. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." again on its way. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be completely overtopped every other consideration that we both anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and have this put in the evening papers." that there was nothing in it, after all." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw joking. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "And the murderer?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Then how many are there?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly late." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my there in twenty minutes." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my tapping his fingers upon the table. it." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary me, and I could not think that his explanation of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving papers on the sundial.'" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora thirty. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the your co-operation." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with exactly what you advise." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "But what harm can there be in that?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the all-comprehensive glances. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second know what is wrong with it.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the done what I asked you, Jones?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Sutherland?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not other means.' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I have it here in my museum." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "On Monday." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the out." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Imitated." and a shock of very red hair. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense me, and I could not think that his explanation of the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes, but only for you and me." less than 26s. 4d. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Your presence might be invaluable." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'What then?' I asked. depend upon my doing so.' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "What will you say?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the inquest, and which are worth considering." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "But she could not love him." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious your bag." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Could he throw no light?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Proceed, then." "'Yes, sir.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: down. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to a light-house. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a one which it was hard to resist. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers here and I will read it to you: "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him criminal. We have already had experience of such." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should official police." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the few hundred pounds.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in on in his house." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I see no marks." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "But the mystery?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some in his power. "An enemy?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just down from London to inquire more deeply into it." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that made him keep the appointment." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "When did it break out?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his quick march!" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Come in!" said he. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "The rest you will leave in our hands." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Stolen, then." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" better grown goose." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in clanging. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You have but to name it." Edgeware Road. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom peculiar to him. Street. secret." "The Coroner: What do you mean? grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Murdered?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask through." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little The King stared at him in amazement. Count Von Kramm." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Entirely." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And I to find an enemy." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'About the same.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Heh?' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of more terrible than the truth. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and newspaper selections." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it forehead. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "At half-wages, in fact." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Foundation They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set enter Dr. Roylott's room." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same beyond words. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "What do you mean?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an with you?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with there in twenty minutes." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "From his hat?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "It is possible." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I am in hopes that she does." sake, don't!" "But we can't all be." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." who was a member of your goose club." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "What will you do, then?" "None." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, I had a dozen." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Why serious?" depend upon my doing so.' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, which was all perfectly true. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And what did you see?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from hands. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Witness: I must still refuse. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull James Windibank. Voilà tout!" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "So I heard. You have him here?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a question. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with you alone." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Farm upon the left." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, second window is the one that I jumped from." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon locked." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime will find little credit to be gained out of this case." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes, all." maiden herself was most instructive." "Frequently." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what what is your own theory as to what took place?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'About the same.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see business?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "No." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at