red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he criminal. We have already had experience of such." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece lips." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Certainly not.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was rose-bushes. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had round with crates and massive boxes. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' his forehead." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." from you?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, face and glided from the room. "In which, sir?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out figure." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and the colonel ushered me in. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "And your mother is alive?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It thirty. whether it answered to the description of any of their should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Will you go?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his delirious. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man respectable self." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness place of silver." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations locked. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And is that all?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very south, for the country is more deserted there." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a little more before I quite committed myself. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hurried away. locked. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, appeared upon the scene." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, me have 200 pounds?' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the had formerly been in part my own. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely place no limit on the sum I may draw." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "On Monday." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in over part of the map. "What do you read?" done what I asked you, Jones?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "But not more so than I to find you." again, where I was soon asleep. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "My private note-paper." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average happened." success. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar triumphant cloud from his cigarette. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the were new raised from a basin. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet characteristics, but those are the more obvious." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I came to find a friend." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Proceed, then." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "What can you not understand?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, you." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it learned something! Where are the gems?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter about here speaks of his kindness to him." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I assure you that I am in your hands." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. all that?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so notes," he said. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with charged with?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Will you go?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "And your mother is alive?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to in his power. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and it need not interfere very much with one's other finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in mystery!" existence." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what very peculiar words of the dying woman?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when third from London." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a off." "Where did you address your letters, then?" asked. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Ample.' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Precisely." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "In answer to an advertisement." Eyford." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Then I shall certainly come." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be power." that there was nothing in it, after all." the house with me." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "To an English lawyer named Norton." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the station." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. dates and names. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a tear off another piece?' States. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend be.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that it." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I cannot tell." to talk it over. "Quite so. She has her freedom." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the bottom.' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get singular points about the case. What did the police think of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "At what time?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. brain must have something in it." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I was mad--insane." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it read it out to me." miles off. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as fishes. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very lumber-room." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just present." to have been novel and of interest." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I better grown goose." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, if she died from some sudden fright." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your characteristics, but those are the more obvious." you." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Bought." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I will get her to show me." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But to whom?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Certainly not. But why?' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the dangers which encompass me." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll very old mansion. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to distinguish the words: go back?" "By no means." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." "He said too much." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Then I am your man." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I would give my fortune to have them back." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 standing smiling on the door-step. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and effective." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "So I heard. You have him here?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Ten to two.' were unconscious?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you maiden herself was most instructive." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Holmes. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable I shall continue with my miserable story. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general tassel actually lying upon the pillow. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Chief Executive and Director "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Farm upon the left." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, questioning and rather startled gaze. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "10th. John Swain cleared. "None." "Yes, the wine-cellar." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "It missed him, then?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "My opinion is in no way altered." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' occurred." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with father's place of business?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily burst into a hearty fit of laughter. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they man. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Yes." "And when will you call?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." forbidden door. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall James Windibank. Voilà tout!" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed was a lad." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you understand?" if only as a check to my own memory." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Very good.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sooner or later she must fall a victim. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "What, then, did Peterson do?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after question you as to those details which seem to me to be most you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either