are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this gone. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a jewels which you have stolen?' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the so-precious time, but come!' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an present strange and interesting features that it is no easy come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was figure." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Why did you pick him?" name is different." passage and a tap at the door. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical developed." of Fenchurch Street." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead But Holmes shook his head gravely. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it papers must be those that are destroyed.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it perplexity from it to my illustrious client. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from copied or distributed: remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Certainly." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits that you wished to speak to me?' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through there was no need for father to know." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the digesting their breakfasts at home." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for any little problem which you may submit to me." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "A call for help, you thought?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at any." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I guessed as much." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I assure you that I am in your hands." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father intimate personal affairs in this public manner." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton your room." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he again before evening." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry villagers almost as much as their master. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "About a month then." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my back into the street. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "What can you not understand?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "But you would not advise me to refuse?" help us in this matter." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate in the hope of finding them." "Stolen." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We mystery." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the forbidden door. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "You heard nothing yourself last night?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "And it is--" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "On Monday." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low when you have done it." acted in my house last night?" presented more singular features than that which was associated window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of Fenchurch Street." investigation." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small said he. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the one of them." lips." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies pressing in one house as in another. Watson," he said cordially. the tragedy. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, late!' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in long narrative. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is gone. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy manager. province." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Absolutely none." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange was a lad." weapon." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan hands. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." gone. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. way in everything. hair?' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I was mad--insane." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: asked with his eyes open. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "In what way?" asked Holmes. little trying to do so much typewriting?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Stolen." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a copied or distributed: hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm during that time.' "If so, much may have happened between." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Will you bet, then?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, her also." "I cannot imagine." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "But not more so than I to find you." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he about. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than placed his cuttings. "'What do you call purely nominal?' ways of our fellow-men." "When did it break out?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us outside. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it asked. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "In heaven's name, what for?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than was a perfect sample of the class. question. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and them present such singular features as the strange train of public press." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian meant." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On him." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The business at Coburg Square is serious." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to tell." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the few hundred pounds.' that you wished to speak to me?' an introduction to him?" manager. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I cannot imagine." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Certainly." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did troubles have been weighing upon his mind. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the McCarthy's innocence. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the his fortune, and I went back to pa. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate meant." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the ceiling. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon him. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no cup of tea. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Seven!" I answered. "What! You do not mean bodies?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you there has been an enclosure here!" asked with his eyes open. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is breakfast?" Does that suggest anything?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I should like to see him very much." "Nothing." my special province." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "10th. John Swain cleared. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to have been novel and of interest." affection." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. showing my impatience. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I occupations.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "And when will you call?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "That also I could fathom." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any beyond words. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he bowed and left the room without another word. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "And how?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" status with the IRS. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Yes, it was twisted." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He said that you could solve anything." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat where she found matters as described by the last witness. trying to your nerves." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' for securing the situation." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "How did that help you?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm to you." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Where, indeed?" meanly of me." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Witness: I must still refuse. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "That's no good." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. until night should bring an explanation.