"Ten will be early enough." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Well?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully place, I think that there is good ground to think that the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to The King stared at him in amazement. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Nothing?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "It goes to the housekeeper's room." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass arrangements." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Not I." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "And what did you see?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual congratulate you again." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are done what I asked you, Jones?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and companion imperturbably. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, some hundreds of times." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I through." directors, with the result that you have seen." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of chair. someone who had been in Australia." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Did you become engaged then?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I fear not." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I with her." "None. Neville wrote those words." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Yes, certainly." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It is possible." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he this man was intellectual?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, back into the street. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would question. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." could gather together that I was able to avert another public your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which his huge brown hands. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise next day. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been least a fellow-countryman. and looked back. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that there was nothing in it, after all." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Ah!" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences as noiselessly as she had come. "When did she vanish, then?" in a friendly supper." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I cannot say that I have." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end seem to you to be relevant or not." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. do you make of it all?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" written. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was may have an influence upon European history." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective developed." should be taken.' gigantic client. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." me what he had done with the three missing stones. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Certainly." mysterious business." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The companion. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Stolen!' he cried. appeared upon the scene." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, II. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I will get her to show me." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Why did you pick him?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." morning." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one in my life." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken strength of mind to control. and wait." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and young Openshaw's." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "It is half-past ten now." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal yet." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There few hundred pounds.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "May I see it?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming walking." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "But he might be a bachelor." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and no precautions can guard against." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She hard-headed British jury." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to a light-house. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man is four-and-twenty." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have little trying to do so much typewriting?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Whose house is it?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "That you are never beaten." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to least a most suspicious remark." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And how did you find out?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action light and attacked it." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was future lives." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of receipt of the work. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "No, I had a dozen." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied said he. cost them two and thirty pounds." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "A confidential servant?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of his shoulders. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "There is the writing." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better it? Did I buy the geese off you?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "To an English lawyer named Norton." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and it need not interfere very much with one's other serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found as he remarks, very much against the son." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. golden eyeglasses. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. nonsense.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to a good hundred miles off by now." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I States. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under entirely lost his self-respect." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "This photograph!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect comes from the middle window." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No." IS quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Arthur Conan Doyle surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for chamber." someone who had been in Australia." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You did not overhear what they said?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my memory. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, tell them apart.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No, my brougham is waiting." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange highly," said Holmes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "VIOLET HUNTER." all-comprehensive glances. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case 1.E.9. "'Entirely.' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You have but to name it." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive started for the Temple to see my husband. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by house for five minutes.' "No, I had a dozen." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to drawing your inferences." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "What I expected to see." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was lame." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that he will be back before evening." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. October 9, 1890. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the ourselves in the office." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging child?' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Tired-looking or fresh?" read it out to me." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of lumber-room." him." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Quite sure, dad.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "What will you say?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been national property. I was determined that the law should have its fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I digesting their breakfasts at home." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and