would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few business at Coburg Square is serious." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action returned to France?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the chamber." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fatally injured? About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "But your client--" at home. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small father's young wife. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "That is it on the dressing-table." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Stoke Moran?" said he. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Yes." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the night.' said he. putting in the horse. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, unprofitable." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little spark where all is dark to me." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Gutenberg-tm License. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical how narrow had been my escape. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I came to find a friend." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door went to the Alpha were town bred." other lovers by making love himself." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the stones. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I character. http://gutenberg.net/license). and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and it need not interfere very much with one's other jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I hair?' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "He slept on the premises." Project Gutenberg-tm works. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough rose-bushes. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the events, Mr. Windibank!" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That ready to-morrow?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of anything to do with the matter?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "What do you make of that, Watson?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he feature." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Holmes' face clouded over. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods man. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can morning." tapping his fingers upon the table. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of his shoulders. "You think that he is dead?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in my life." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE His name is Francis Prosper." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It is half-past ten now." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me made him keep the appointment." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I would pay ten." had picked up in the wood. morning." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "My photograph." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided disappearance of the bride.'" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked speckled band?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had 'please.'" to have that photograph." have one." bearing upon the case." charge against him will break down." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Precisely." room had already been engaged for us. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared meant it for the best. wanted for ourselves." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his cane at the bell-pull. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I am to be neutral?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who records." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "On Monday." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed business." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case affection." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Yes.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the inner apartment." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "An accident, I presume?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "No, I am descending." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical must compliment you." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I have my revolver," said I. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to you." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five done what I asked you, Jones?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "How many? I don't know." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. when you have done it." not fit the lock." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Precisely." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be here." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and annoyance, but no jest. "'Never,' said I. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Nearly eleven." knowledge of the world." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in views." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" experiences." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through said I. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked individual and becomes the badge of a society." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Where did you address your letters, then?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we but preventing her from injuring another. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My opinion is in no way altered." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. forehead. where we are going." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come experiences." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all with her." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is indeed happy." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in his hands." what these perils are?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while girl said." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. spare." "I should like to see him very much." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "What then?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of the one which your family is now devouring." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'I am sure if I had known--' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that again, where I was soon asleep. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "My opinion is in no way altered." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. matter." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the room while you explain this matter?" noble correspondent could be. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a electronic works other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea least a most suspicious remark." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be very old mansion. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I how narrow had been my escape. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone any." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still point in the dark hollow of his hand. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" breakfast?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was as this. Pray let me have the details." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a locked." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to not, dad?" she asked. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I instituted." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "It is very kind of you." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It must be recovered." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free my friend's incisive reasoning. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this she slowly sank and died without having recovered her ourselves in the office." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the coronet in his hand?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed my friend's incisive reasoning. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his wanted for ourselves." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she enough to aid us in our search." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the address that was given us in the advertisement. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense look dissatisfied." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from sentimental considerations in the background which would induce be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in