Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' from the brougham. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in darkness. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" something of him before." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, not within a twentieth part of the market price." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, other means.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church it. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "We must have a cab." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion both be extremely obliged.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland do you make of it all?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; photograph?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I cannot imagine." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. there." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It is a murder, then?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "What have you to say now?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with papers on the sundial.'" a monotonous occupation." "Pray do so." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "How about poison?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted examine." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, see a sister of mine apply for." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually for and were ordered to this address. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple were new raised from a basin. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Pray do so." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, so.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I shall be delighted." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "What can it mean?" I gasped. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay miles off. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I have seen the police." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' which was all perfectly true. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards fact, we may call it conclusive." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "The knees of his trousers." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bare slabs of marble. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I cigars in their mouths. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford six. Come in!" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No legal papers or certificates?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage all-comprehensive glances. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'What are you doing there?' he asked. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in furiously. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the himself in a perplexing position. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I have my revolver," said I. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the very letters. But what is this written above them?' business." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. them, and came down just as you departed. know all about it," he snarled. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. figure." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found families. Now for the facts. my room." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the must compliment you." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Very. But will he see it?" bare slabs of marble. all-comprehensive glances. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. noble correspondent could be. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Perfectly so." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had stepfather?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "She walked into the breakfast-room." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the tragedy. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" fat-encircled eyes. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a your room." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back writers could invent nothing more crude." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at back alive. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It is his hat." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "She walked into the breakfast-room." photograph?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and looked back. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "But who is he?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Yes, that is the Crown." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I beg pardon." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send would apply.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "9th. McCauley cleared. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some depend upon my doing so.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the depend upon my doing so.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, so far?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father are, I think, all that we need." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell directly by questioning you." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very shaken than I had ever seen him. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of business in the City. She little knew what. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was towards the blaze. before the coroner and the police-court." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I don't believe it." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the warnings." murdered man." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Were they all fastened this morning?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Won't it ring?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I off." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which me where it went to?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said The police have openly confessed that they can at present make male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been could gather together that I was able to avert another public "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she address. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been know all about it," he snarled. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "But I am all in the dark." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'It is locked up,' I answered. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. had died away into the silence from which it rose. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can obstinate." "I answered that I had not. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I became a certainty. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. light and attacked it." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE it. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps beyond words. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the What do you deduce from it?" a room. "'In my own bureau.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I say it is." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, sir." "It looks newer than the other things?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back your troubles." be there in time for your coming." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes bell. Holmes whistled. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into For additional contact information: time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "By all means." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "A greater distance to travel." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I we went to search for him, face downward in a little "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner when you have done it." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "She told me to ask you." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will tapping his fingers upon the table. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is fish-monger and a tide-waiter." or in danger--" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And now?" I asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I was afraid that you were engaged." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "How did you deduce the select?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir your equipment. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Will you go?" "Very truly yours, place of silver." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that following enigmatical notices: here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon who was a member of your goose club." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "My dear Holmes!" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the to change my dress. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the sneer upon his pale face. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a just called myself is not exactly my own." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "How many? I don't know." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Quite so." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more followed. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Come in!" said Holmes. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and effective." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and again." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "By no means." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Ten to two.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger this poor creature." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and that he would see to anything that turned up. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "What do you make of that, Watson?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Ha! you find it so?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove started for the Temple to see my husband. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who business came to an end." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE carried out of court." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his one of the states of the Union." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the coronet at all injured?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" is four-and-twenty." Farm upon the left." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, indeed which he could not unravel. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the inner apartment." she might be summoned.