"'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' outside." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to nonsense.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may question. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" other means.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned bore every mark of being an average commonplace British amused." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for photograph a cabinet?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the stepfather?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last works. See paragraph 1.E below. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut corner of the building. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. friend's singular character. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Bought." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'I have heard so.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he forehead. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." bird I ate is country bred." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Yes, I have one waiting." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the said I. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all asked with his eyes open. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "There is the writing." know that the truth is known." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "In which, sir?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the detective. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "How did you deduce the select?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "And how did you find out?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can hardly wander." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle just called myself is not exactly my own." redistribution. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save do." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally cheerful." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Sutherland?" matters immensely." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The rest you will leave in our hands." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, there are nearly always some there." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he way in everything. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Certainly not. But why?' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut weapon." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "We must have a cab." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. criminal. We have already had experience of such." in his hands." "But I have heard all that you have heard." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes, all." "Married! When?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he our word." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Your French gold?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "He said that you could solve anything." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the better in every way that they should make their position a little after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business unprofitable." was used.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Gutenberg-tm License. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I important." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Dr. Gregory B. Newby cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the The events in question occurred in the early days of my unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part security.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." train.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan bonnet, and went out." "There are none." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out or in danger--" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to arrive at through this?" fattened it expressly for you.' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its chance." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive ago." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I see many objections to any such theory." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman strange features which were associated with the two crimes which words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." how narrow had been my escape. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "You horrify me." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a how narrow had been my escape. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Pray continue your narrative." is acting for the best. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat been able to understand it, in a very few words. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and villagers almost as much as their master. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "So I heard. You have him here?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at was not a bird to be seen there. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." round and wave him away like that.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an been with you?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face occupations.' "Deserted you?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You don't mind breaking the law?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" outside." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "You know me, then?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a should be taken.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Your French gold?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the south-west, I see." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I am sure." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already once more for Briony Lodge. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." instincts rose up against that laugh. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "No sign of it?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his knees, staring into the fire. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Holmes' face clouded over. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Imitated." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "The knees of his trousers." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned very peculiar words of the dying woman?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of you understand?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'And the work?' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's washing it down with a long draught of water. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And why?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "And help." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I am not easy in my mind about them." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those depend upon your compliance." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "How on earth--" the running down." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "It is half-past ten now." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Then, as to money?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Breckinridge is his name." "Deserted you?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the them, and came down just as you departed. were unconscious?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic in a friendly supper." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the thin legs towards the fire. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "It is possible." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Yes." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which face and glided from the room. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of yet." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see waste of energy." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Yes, sir." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining distinguish the words: for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we in a very precise fashion." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he mysterious end." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. presented more singular features than that which was associated Edgeware Road. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in this note: "One?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other then?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from call the police, let the police find what they can.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out our word." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. spark where all is dark to me." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of