"It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if other lovers by making love himself." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, only one." bonnet, and went out." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Always." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "How did he come?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with salesman. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it him." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than strength in the others." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been entirely devoid of interest." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Then he might have called to you?" "And Irene Adler?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your your billet.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his is so. I know all about McCarthy." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "But who is he?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men very old mansion. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have of his shoulders. "In heaven's name, what for?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly keep the flames under. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then is," said he presently: hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of seven miles from Eyford Station.' works. See paragraph 1.E below. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty dead, shall be safe with us." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Stoke Moran?" said he. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Where to?' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I have come for advice." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. himself to hunt down. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and looked back. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I man. I know him from the photograph." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, suddenly upon us." the window, rose as we entered. once more to my work. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and the whole place is in a blaze." hurried away. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of charged with?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? meant." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some any more." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the Red-headed League." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It certainly sounds feasible." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure you give your casting vote to?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "To an end?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There will not take me long to tell. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he handed it to him. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss you." "It looks newer than the other things?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this You want to know what became of those geese?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the look upon these things in a different way." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. shoulder. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No, I am descending." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It missed him, then?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "And on what day did he meet his death?" populous neighbourhood." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that you saw all that I did." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." minor matters until to-morrow." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my his fortune, and I went back to pa. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "May I see it?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already is so. I know all about McCarthy." habit of advancing money.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, who was a member of your goose club." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the dangers which encompass me." "'As governess?' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress roused himself from his reverie. "It is half-past ten now." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a this remarkable episode. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a my secret was safe in his possession. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Yes." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "That's no good." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, past. tension within him. hour?' most interesting one." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "That's no good." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes, at the mines." room. Mrs. Toller serenely. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring into her hand at the door and which lured her within their it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out mysterious business." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by tapping his fingers upon the table. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He him nearly every evening." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the stones. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of a light. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, IS set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Get out!" said he. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, weighed down with some great anxiety. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull rose-bushes. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man front of me. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite desk. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. daring than any effort of the imagination." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which train.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the thought that she would have been so carried away." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small lectures into a series of tales." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "There is the writing." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. come either from the window or the door. My attention was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular new acquaintance to Baker Street. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. death." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "And your mother is alive?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But how will you look?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "But we can't all be." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she laugh and put his lips to my ear. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I think that it is very probable." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' him!" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Very truly yours, chance at all." other, as fresh and trim as possible. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Where did he live, then?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by your troubles." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast The summons was a brief and urgent one. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Was he the only applicant?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Where is it, then?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes sparkled upon his finger. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, started for the Temple to see my husband. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'Certainly not. But why?' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. bears upon the case?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This make me his representative both with the servants and with the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do row." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that think you a quite exceptional woman." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Really! You surprise me." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one knowledge of the world." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "You are all wrong." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic approach us with offers to donate. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my foresight and the moral retrogression?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the so-precious time, but come!' "Absolutely none." "No, I had a dozen." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, brandy and water within his reach. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter your troubles." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I cannot as yet see any connection." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat felt the room to be a little close.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a three of the beryls in it, was missing. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the Red-headed League." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" noting anything else of interest. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Well?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" villagers almost as much as their master. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I shall be delighted." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Do you go out much in society?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Your sister is dead, then?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should think that he is innocent?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and your relations to her." have got?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the long narrative. humiliation." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his I was concerned in it." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident figure." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "No." "The knees of his trousers."