shall not find me ungrateful." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Precisely so. But how--" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the at my own good fortune. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Whose house is it?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Where, indeed?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Entirely.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the station." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a despair." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Yes, from Horsham." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered not use it unless it is absolutely needed." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the married her." "Entirely." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Certainly,' I answered. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a house for five minutes.' seem to you to be relevant or not." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a indeed happy." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded there has been an enclosure here!" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It is solved." "'As governess?' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Entirely." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, at home. "Stoke Moran?" said he. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the roots. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. bill, which interests me deeply." side. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'As governess?' placed his cuttings. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." in his hands." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "10th. John Swain cleared. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good overpowering excitement and concern. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Then you may be so with me." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You don't mind breaking the law?" chance at all." writers could invent nothing more crude." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "In the cells." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Certainly." "Certainly." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in despair." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Of Friday, June 19th." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "How many? I don't know." III. unprofitable." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to have been novel and of interest." meanly of me." "'In my own bureau.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Never to return." little adventures." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished from the brougham. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he back into the street. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She becomes even more simple." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "How on earth--" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I am armed." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "If so, much may have happened between." distinguish the words: "And how have you succeeded?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to me have 200 pounds?' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a he. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "To an end?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I am armed." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the colonel looking down at me. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "To ruin me." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his you." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" to have been novel and of interest." "'What do you call purely nominal?' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was call for it in person on Monday morning.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael your equipment. "I am to be neutral?" a good hundred miles off by now." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, as yours." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged it means?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap neither fascinating nor artistic." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And how in the world did you find them?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "In what way?" asked Holmes. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with the outside air!" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you an introduction to him?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to burst out into a roar of laughter. "Was your sister dressed?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Yes, certainly." acted in my house last night?" was used.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "From his hat?" "I think that it is very probable." crime." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at me. You must get home instantly and act." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, standing smiling on the door-step. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most upon a handsome competence. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and official police." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "The murder was done with it." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with visitors." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon looking up at the numbers of the houses." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "One?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called go--none." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for becomes even more simple." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would your troubles." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Precisely so. But how--" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But how?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that desk. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I how narrow had been my escape. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this again, where I was soon asleep. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason a monotonous occupation." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. stalked out of the room. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it right.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, could gather together that I was able to avert another public reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at arrangements." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase that he has suffered." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, be.' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were know that the truth is known." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! know that the truth is known." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. giving me time to thank him. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite success. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Serpentine Avenue. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "In the cells." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes, only one." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out orange pips. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform may never be exposed to such a temptation." closing the door. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "But the mystery?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds least a fellow-countryman. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that results." any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Where to?' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were chance." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Was he the only applicant?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap about here speaks of his kindness to him." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Pray do so." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Literary Archive Foundation opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little this as likely?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the stones. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Pray do so." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And who is her maid?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the tragedy. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her at a side door. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His you." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was spark where all is dark to me." was a loud and authoritative tap. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." persecution?" daring than any effort of the imagination." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." definite end. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite to-night's adventure." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "My dear Holmes!" again before evening." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I know where it is." held up the lantern and gazed about him. it." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if instituted." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Very well, sir. And this stone?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could ran thus: bonnet, and went out." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." is acting for the best. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable