before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be British peeress.'" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water than was visible to me." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes, sir." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I fear not." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the running down." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with John Swain, of St. Augustine. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the chamber." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little such attractions and accomplishments?' yards of it?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Your sister is dead, then?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Have you good authority for what you say?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and three of the beryls in it, was missing. into the bag, and made for the door. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Quite so. She has her freedom." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the imbecility!" he cried. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "That is easily got." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I shall not find me ungrateful." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich into the room. and the whole place is in a blaze." "The best possible." this man was intellectual?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our most important business. It is probable that he will be away all charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "That's no good." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some extraordinary contortions. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened new acquaintance to Baker Street. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the something of him before." written. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "It is half-past ten now." "I was sure that I might rely on you." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the minor matters until to-morrow." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per congratulate you again." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his character. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers shoulder; "he's all right." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the point in the dark hollow of his hand. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the window, rose as we entered. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was it brought him the coronet? until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "His face fell immediately. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "This photograph!" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that more solid." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Thank you. Pray proceed." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could his face. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Yes, they were peculiar boots." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been client, rising. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made letters?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, bedroom door." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "My dear Holmes!" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Who was the criminal, then?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "How are you getting on?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more business." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "You horrify me." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment late." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Where could I find him?' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the at once, for I have only half an hour." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Of what?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which our visitor detailed to us. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips it? Did I buy the geese off you?" know all about it," he snarled. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' your Highness to the police-station?" bearing upon the case." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and gigantic client. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then, as to money?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Sholtos." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Yes." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, could go. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." think that any burglar could have done. "What! a murderous attack?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which read over the extraordinary announcement. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from address. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my mystery may be cleared along those lines." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the through." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fattened it expressly for you.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "By no means." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the his eyes and forehead. "Nothing." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it matter." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he that I am arrested." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced back to my heart. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Nearly eleven." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they were wasted." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked peculiar to him. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and looked back. with her." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he lost his Christmas dinner." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the carried out of court." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable advice." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need be.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "When did she vanish, then?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Never." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in his hands." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small writers could invent nothing more crude." true." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Entirely." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Have you her photograph?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I think it very unlikely." yourselves in at night?" of the way of danger. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner looking up at the numbers of the houses." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Gutenberg-tm License. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "She told me to ask you." to a more successful conclusion." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to-night." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should correct than the official force." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" my room." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of them has the shutters up.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very very peculiar words of the dying woman?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You have a clue?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is second." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which in your London, you will know that the office of the company is extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have were new raised from a basin. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came For additional contact information: money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in where she found matters as described by the last witness. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "That also I could fathom." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his jewels which you have stolen?' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with ago." "Did you observe the colour?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "It is a murder, then?" will be renamed. know that the truth is known." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so easy-going way." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was tension within him. of Fenchurch Street." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bachelor.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to unprecedented a position." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no good for you to do.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have introspective fashion. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away experiences." you." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "He said too much." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under he bowed and left the room without another word. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Seven!" I answered. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third him nearly every evening." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if room. have one." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well American. Then who could this American be, and why should he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of people in all walks of life. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking father's young wife. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made as he folded up the epistle. "But you can know nothing of this?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one maiden herself was most instructive." train.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it legal crime." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. could go. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have I gained?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a touch that coronet?' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "What then?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the entirely lost his self-respect." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in leaning back in his chair. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "One?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of like that before?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "And how?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Serpentine Avenue. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Perhaps we may make them less so." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the house with me." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "She told me to ask you." "We were both in the photograph." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Quite so. She has her freedom." of Mr. Rucastle's." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual papers." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew