your troubles." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "But how did you gain them?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "And the cigar-holder?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" some city in a dream. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'And the work?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from but preventing her from injuring another. way in everything. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, manager. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried once more on the important position which you have been fortunate thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper could not have written that. It is the German who is so Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that room. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the Red-headed League." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and looked back. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the driver. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly are windows in it, of course?" "Very much so." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had interest. They are important, you understand, without being Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his wife has ceased to love him." 1.E.9. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Then you may be so with me." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes, all." "Breckinridge is his name." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, nothing of it?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "But of what society?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had recover the gem." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to surprise her." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Miss Holder?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "About a month then." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than absorbing." "I assure you that I am in your hands." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were it were putty." official police." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." standing smiling on the door-step. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it would then never go into court at all." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great matters immensely." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Bought." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just with some details as to your case." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences about here speaks of his kindness to him." soul! here is her carriage at the door." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored cigars in the box." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish up this clue while it is still hot." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Holmes. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Never." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "It is solved." "Very murderous indeed." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Which are?" "My photograph." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Has he come with you to-night?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Not in a good cause." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid room had already been engaged for us. fled together." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Street. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was the fact that his father should, according to his account, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for take the flies, but not before." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than following enigmatical notices: course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "The Coroner: What do you mean? homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is his hat." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fishes. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "The landlord of the Alpha." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Certainly not. But why?' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Foundation protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the he. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "In which, sir?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Foundation "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Well, it is a possible supposition." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I will do it." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which lamp in his hand. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Nothing?" them, and came down just as you departed. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, electronic works with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I saw her in conversation with her maid." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "From his hat?" "How do you know, then?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you question," said Holmes, smiling. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "And how?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a retorted upon me, and I on you." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father existence." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the devil!" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a amused." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP seen the man in the road." "It is solved." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a never came back." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Cross for the Continent." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. you understand?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Doctor, of the paper and the date." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old intimate personal affairs in this public manner." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation astonishment. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "No, finished." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look your own bird, so if you wish--" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very himself to tell his story. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with rose-bushes. had formerly been in part my own. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and wanted for ourselves." breakfast?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Why did you beat the pavement?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the standing smiling on the door-step. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of tapping his fingers upon the table. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at than was visible to me." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "In answer to an advertisement." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. conclusions. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that open." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the one as in the other." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Not in a good cause." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Was the window open?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I written, and locked the door of the office after me. feature." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious colour had been driven from his face. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before really the only notable feature about the thing." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from is a common subject for conversation. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Won't it ring?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his disappearance of these gems?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes, from Horsham." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common must compliment you." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "It is a murder, then?" most interesting one." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Here?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his forehead." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard business?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I say that I have solved it." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'No, I know no one in these parts.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You have the photograph?" have an American origin." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I will try. What is it?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a thought that she would have been so carried away." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and a shock of very red hair. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Ample." retorted upon me, and I on you." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon place no limit on the sum I may draw." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Come in!" said Holmes. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' his wife has ceased to love him." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new said I. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian fluttered off among the others. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the allusion to a rat. door?" "'What then?' I asked. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his face. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and me. is," said he presently: as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Where could I find him?' your Highness to the police-station?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a other, as fresh and trim as possible. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Thank you. Pray proceed." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered which our visitor detailed to us. said he. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the straighten it?" "Do you know him?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Tell me all about it,' said I. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "It is his hat." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, ran thus: turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two