to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Countess of Morcar's?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will vague figure huddled up in the darkness. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with remarked. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." McCarthy's innocence. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I think that I had better go, Holmes." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they when your master had gone out." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand but preventing her from injuring another. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' conceal it?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Then you may be so with me." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such himself. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "What are they?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It came here." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were records." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. nights." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Where to?' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be during which he might have communicated with his friend the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Ha! you find it so?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the your sleep?' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. woman." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "What is it?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Where is it, then?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we redistribution. husband's writing, madam." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Serpentine Avenue. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love morning." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San beyond words. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I mysterious business." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered so.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of campaign. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What! You do not mean bodies?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given forebodings. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'A dozen yards or so.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the bottom.' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, some hundreds of times." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Was she in good spirits?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of quickly through a disagreeable task. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "A call for help, you thought?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other started for the Temple to see my husband. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Then I do not see the point." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and glanced through. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the used to be." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Ample." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the nursery. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now speckled band?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he him, that man would not have given me such complete information said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name directors, with the result that you have seen." "And how did you verify them?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, goes." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any appeared upon the scene." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "In what way?" asked Holmes. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and gbnewby@pglaf.org (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project colour had been driven from his face. "'Is purely nominal.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." grasp, he hurried from the room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "That is possible." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "And on what day did he meet his death?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even call for it in person on Monday morning.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my room." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to to-night." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" carpenter." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Never.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." coat-tails." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the stones. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me you came in." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My off." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Did he not advertise?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Then you may be so with me." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll appeal." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The Cedars?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that beg that you will break it off." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, your room." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes depend upon my doing so.' was a lad." friends, not even his own brother. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in acted in my house last night?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the one as in the other." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the his face. his eyes and forehead. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "No, I had a dozen." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "What shall I do?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The summons was a brief and urgent one. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The vanishing of the lady." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes, it was twisted." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. over here." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Very truly yours, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly IS Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the very letters. But what is this written above them?' definite end. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and are, and they are waiting for us." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." yourselves in at night?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which served to weaken the effect. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the during which he might have communicated with his friend the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old have been better. It is all right." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of chill to my heart. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, ran thus: his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I have come for advice." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many several quiet little villages up there." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "How are you getting on?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Not yet." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and murdered man." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of rat could hardly pass through." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad derbies." "Who by?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. just ask you whether you had heard it.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bonnet, and went out." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I have seen the police." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round indiscretion." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country you want, then?' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where should be so warm over such a trifle." it." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor once more on the important position which you have been fortunate once more to my work. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Miss Holder?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something