like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he breakfast." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." question. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Texas, I think." that I am arrested." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "What I expected to see." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. whole matter to your consideration." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure fatally injured? Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so It was close upon four before the door opened, and a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND British peeress.'" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, straightened it out again. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "He is still with you, I presume?" will he say when he returns?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his believe that I should never have any practice at all. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very writer." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Then, how do you know?" province." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he this Miss Turner." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. carriage. It was a chestnut." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere waste of energy." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side amused." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the warnings." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you?' "The gentleman I describe." as he remarks, very much against the son." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "There is the writing." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I think it very unlikely." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Proceed, then." "'Never,' said I. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and really the only notable feature about the thing." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your thirty. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Why, it's a dummy," said he. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she down. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" within hail.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'Most admirably.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Precisely." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I shall most certainly do so." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the house with me." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And Miss Sutherland?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' question," said Holmes, smiling. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "But your client--" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Never." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then what has happened to him?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and better grown goose." "My last client of the sort was a king." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted writers could invent nothing more crude." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Holmes, the busybody!" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as appointment with me for six o'clock?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "What is it?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I have hopes." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Is he quiet?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster voice, changing her seat as requested. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, villagers almost as much as their master. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not not as remarkable as your advertisement." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And your father? Did you tell him?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "When did she vanish, then?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee a very grave face. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "'I shall certainly be there.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" more solid." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, already referred to. system of imprisonment?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Your French gold?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "By no means." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall what I may call a really hard day's work." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to said I. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back people don't know." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'In my own bureau.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, if only as a check to my own memory." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'You cannot say what it was?' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple there." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Then I can wait in the next room." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a arrested. You then--" "And did you observe any change in her then?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I don't say that. Perhaps." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Witness: It was. McCarthy." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what an introduction to him?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in this way: expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away second." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I should like to see him very much." Gutenberg-tm License. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "And your father? Did you tell him?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it questioning and rather startled gaze. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Upon what point?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the inquest, and which are worth considering." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a strength in the others." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Yes, the wine-cellar." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple call the police, let the police find what they can.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of 1.F. client, rising. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks matters immensely." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "BALLARAT." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I promise," said Holmes. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I would give my fortune to have them back." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began in a friendly supper." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution a monotonous occupation." hurried away. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Then let me do so?' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'There is a drive, then?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Is he quiet?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Never,' said I. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore careless servant girl?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Thank you. Pray proceed." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked not come at once?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your clanging. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated as yours." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to events than those which have happened in my own family." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper be sorry for having acted so harshly." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of your only hope of safety." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing letters?" out of this horrible affair." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body prison!" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "What, then, did Peterson do?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Where, then?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then clang of the bell. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" man. I know him from the photograph." "No, thank goodness, she did not." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "From his hat?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to main points of my analysis." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, 'please.'" "When did she vanish, then?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Your French gold?" mystery!" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before up this clue while it is still hot." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very experiences." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers too. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it of receipt of the work. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now