"What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat system of imprisonment?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility crime." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off jewels which you have stolen?' in one or two places in England?' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No, my brougham is waiting." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Again Holmes raved in the air. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of your troubles." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" noting anything else of interest. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, handed it to him. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped row." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems once more for Briony Lodge. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, wife's character?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the ran thus: Pool. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come followed. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might outside." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it right.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott himself. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "No." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew whatever might befall. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few you for a few hours?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "You horrify me." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with may never be exposed to such a temptation." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as yours." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Dr. Becher's." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss photograph a cabinet?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began bill, which interests me deeply." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, have been better. It is all right." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I think that I could be of assistance to you." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to bare slabs of marble. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed for and were ordered to this address. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to once more. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I am in hopes that she does." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Never." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "But what is it you wish?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." away to you." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness definite end. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent wedding?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly she used." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the lips." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I have seen the police." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have bachelor.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb a few minutes he said that it would be all right. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime would apply.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. words came to my lips. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I cannot imagine." tail." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed official police." his huge brown hands. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I answered that I had not. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I have hopes." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "But who is he?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "No bad?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the King without delay." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And from a noble client?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the inner apartment." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the ceiling. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lamp in his hand. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation speckled band?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I attention." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it knowledge of the world." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did outbreak?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt do you make of it all?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was your equipment. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "VIOLET HUNTER." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it ordinary clothes on?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Upon what point?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know evidence," I remarked. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Yes." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock because she had spent so short a time in this country that she his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "In which, sir?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his forehead." attention." your most interesting statement." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "When did it break out?" the coronet in his hands?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I don't believe it." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hopeless attempt at recovering them." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Certainly." "How do you know, then?" at home. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange an introduction to him?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the society." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of them has the shutters up.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "What office?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he once more on the important position which you have been fortunate something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was examine." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. this Miss Turner." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was me have 200 pounds?' "No." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and it need not interfere very much with one's other are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing anything to do with the matter?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and out of this horrible affair." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the had a long day." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "What I expected to see." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you The telegram which we eventually received came late one night even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name 1.F. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Where, then?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I existence." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was least a fellow-countryman. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He lips." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I never have." be there in time for your coming." beyond words. "Has he come with you to-night?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that on in his house." off." I have it here in my museum." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I think that I could be of assistance to you." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "What will you say?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Heh?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the your bag." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "What?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, away into the river." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by a monotonous occupation." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Witness: I must still refuse. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "So I heard. You have him here?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And that is--" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco over his head with a sweet womanly caress. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the coronet at all injured?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the seven miles from Eyford Station.' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "You have but to name it." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I don't say that. Perhaps." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that threaten you." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far nonsense.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, some terrible trap for her." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you want, then?' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Project Gutenberg-tm works.