go from here to the Strand." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while again on its way. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a memory. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, note?" child?' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Of what day?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling present." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of receipt of the work. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will tapping his fingers upon the table. evidence," I remarked. "Yes, from Horsham." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "No." that you can jump it.' "Have you her photograph?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that you wished to speak to me?' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Was the window open?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was in one or two places in England?' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in this note: almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had http://gutenberg.net/license). breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had clang of the bell. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Never,' said I. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the date of his supposed suicide." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present few hundred pounds.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds an introduction to him?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Well, some hundreds of times." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and presume?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case something of him before." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Nothing?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and it need not interfere very much with one's other figure." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Never.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and passage and a tap at the door. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." envelope. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Not social, then?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone depend upon my doing so.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sneer upon his pale face. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And sit in the dark?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and laid it on the table. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, he did." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Yes, it was gone.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, wedding?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "He might." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "And you thought he was pulled back?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fashion which was peculiar to him. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "And Miss Sutherland?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action see a sister of mine apply for." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible closely." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I was afraid that you were engaged." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend hair?' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw that before taking the final step I should like to submit the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of appointment with me for six o'clock?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the inquest, and which are worth considering." Street. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong emerged. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, from the brougham. "I say it is." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going washing it down with a long draught of water. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "But she will refuse." your sleep?' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." them?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. mysterious business." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included place no limit on the sum I may draw." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, writing, and yet I know it well." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Ten will be early enough." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, charge against him will break down." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Eh? What was that?" then?" companion. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he outbreak?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Was the window open?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Witness: Nothing definite. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Pool. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had one of the states of the Union." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which skylight. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Farm upon the left." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." meant it for the best. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" exactly what you advise." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! touch that coronet?' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I would pay ten." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem key turn in the lock." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You was not a bird to be seen there. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'Certainly not.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. brain must have something in it." enter Dr. Roylott's room." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Where to?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" be. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed that the gas is not laid on in his house?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right on re-entering her father's house?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's It may be so in this case, also." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in. on in his house." Miss Holder?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen meanly of me." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the Assizes." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Which are?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "In San Francisco, a year ago." that he has suffered." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And why?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I would give my fortune to have them back." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the matter?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable presume?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "You were travelling in the States?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I know where it is." a monotonous occupation." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Yes, it would be as well." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country she used." "One of the highest in England." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same joking. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main crime." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John gives a meaning to it." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "What I expected to see." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional tail." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a I was concerned in it." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a hour." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire you came in." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the security.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which despaired of." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Project Gutenberg-tm works. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I think that I could be of assistance to you." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small events, Mr. Windibank!" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Stolen!' he cried. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." place no limit on the sum I may draw." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes, from Horsham." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Nothing." bled considerably." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of Mr. Rucastle's." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for here." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly have been better. It is all right." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set The police have openly confessed that they can at present make yourselves in at night?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the address that was given us in the advertisement. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly bedroom door." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Who by?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of