"Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an done what I asked you, Jones?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid girl said." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that weighed down with some great anxiety. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not little trying to do so much typewriting?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And what did you see?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and writers could invent nothing more crude." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she see a sister of mine apply for." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt second window is the one that I jumped from." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, married her." "I was sure that I might rely on you." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged meant it for the best. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Did you observe the colour?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This His smile broadened. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Have you good authority for what you say?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress did not hear it also.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'How far from the body?' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Pray do so." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at wife's character?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of fine shops and stately business premises that they really however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I cannot as yet see any connection." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in here and I will read it to you: every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of campaign. "And your mother is alive?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and awaited us upon the table. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "What then?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several said he. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for directly by questioning you." during which he might have communicated with his friend the been deceived." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight friends, not even his own brother. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless developed." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a speckled band?" brain must have something in it." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the row." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the page at http://pglaf.org "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the stones. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a occurred." discontent upon his features. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Look there!" said he. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Yes, the wine-cellar." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's for the market.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And how did you verify them?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." obstinate." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "You horrify me!" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened that I am arrested." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it It was close upon four before the door opened, and a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the inquest, and which are worth considering." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the room while you explain this matter?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the address that was given us in the advertisement. anything to do with the matter?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, signal between you and your father? "The decline of his fortunes, then?" fire. You quite follow me?" have got?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my hard-headed British jury." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What then?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for wanted for ourselves." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of tell me that you intended to go into harness." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another few hundred pounds.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at strength in the others." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of felt the room to be a little close.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt my special province." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and window when the police appeared." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the fishes. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, detained." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than next day. did not hear it also.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. colonel looking down at me. certainly do as you advise." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in been shamefully used." "'And the work?' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "How do you know, then?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very as the one I chose?' "To an end?" "You were travelling in the States?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope through." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "But who is he?" "But I am all in the dark." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your how narrow had been my escape. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he down. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Count Von Kramm." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I have had none more fantastic than this." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. once more for Briony Lodge. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at case before our client came into the room." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very clang of the bell. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Was the window open?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Awake, Watson?" he asked. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. time." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, empty. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Was the window open?" whatever might befall. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend you." hopeless attempt at recovering them." in him." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your about. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not introspective fashion. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "What have you to say now?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I have seen the police." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I warn you that they are very incomplete." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of a light. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Who by?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an over his head with a sweet womanly caress. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to it were putty." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "No, I had a dozen." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. congratulate you again." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried had died away into the silence from which it rose. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to floor. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'I am sure that I do not know.' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many a little more before I quite committed myself. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises families. Now for the facts. "And how did you find out?" jewels which you have stolen?' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the child." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "To the police?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance against a man in the prime of life?" "How are you getting on?" me." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the my former friend and companion. to a more successful conclusion." did not hear it also.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no recover the gem." "And you thought he was pulled back?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "He is dead," cried several voices. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was always that they were such commands as a lady might with which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fled together." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are directly by questioning you." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "One?" obstinate." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary as noiselessly as she had come. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt if only as a check to my own memory." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year way: black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was shining brightly. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a for the market.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Then the page we have seen--" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." said he. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "None." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you directly by questioning you." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Did you become engaged then?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign room?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, it." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Well, but China?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a cheerful." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles