pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "What have you to say now?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I never have." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness out." excitement. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "And you don't know his address?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What of the rat, then?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. me upon any point which I do not make clear." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. one else, I think." the coronet at all injured?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a not as remarkable as your advertisement." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had over here." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any help us in this matter." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can conversation I have gathered that they have been married about impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "How do you know, then?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'I am sure if I had known--' "Nothing." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I would give my fortune to have them back." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. character. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have DAMAGE. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Entirely.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "No, but the enclosure is." hard-headed British jury." least a fellow-countryman. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "You have but to name it." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "What have you done?" asked Holmes. his knees, staring into the fire. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt anything to do with the matter?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was hour?' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Pool. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No good news?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fear." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "My last client of the sort was a king." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Quite so. She has her freedom." "And how did you verify them?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "And I." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not take the flies, but not before." "What will you do, then?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And the cigar-holder?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our six. Come in!" "Then I shall certainly come." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "There is the writing." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his drawing your inferences." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty head. So long, then!" you for a few hours?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. these bleak autumnal evenings." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled hereditary King of Bohemia." beyond words. crackling voice. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was society." them?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you me." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the what these perils are?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "No." goes." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling back into the street. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a you?" fashion which was peculiar to him. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when so.' served to weaken the effect. "'Entirely.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical hand, madam?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Breckinridge is his name." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Certainly." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, washing it down with a long draught of water. Holmes' face clouded over. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "No." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "What can it mean?" I gasped. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes." "And sit in the dark?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Pool. "How do you know, then?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the power." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It is very kind of you." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Were they all fastened this morning?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "None." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "And did you observe any change in her then?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Very much so." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." companion imperturbably. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering bed dies. Does not that strike you?" never will be, entirely cleared up. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wall." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and effective." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. went to the Alpha were town bred." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went be. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have what these perils are?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair never to learn it at all." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "May I see it?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "He said that you could solve anything." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is death." "I have a cab outside." prepare for the new role I have to play." your room." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well James Windibank. Voilà tout!" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the devil!" "If so, much may have happened between." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to back alive. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And is that all?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of them?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Never." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to too. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Game for a morning drive?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and bachelor.' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." answered with a sidelong glance. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and shall probably return to London by the evening train." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I would give my fortune to have them back." fact, we may call it conclusive." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight newspaper selections." "Quite so. She has her freedom." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Then let me do so?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "What is it?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of receipt of the work. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "He said too much." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are towards the blaze. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace very peculiar words of the dying woman?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." so far?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "It looks newer than the other things?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, other means.' "So I am. Very much so." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young unkempt, staring out at me. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is a common subject for conversation. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to dramatic, in fact." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Watson," he said cordially. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and floor. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon rat could hardly pass through." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "None." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "On the contrary, this is the right side." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my it. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." said I. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fire. You quite follow me?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little gbnewby@pglaf.org it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I should be immensely obliged to you." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, that I may have something better before very many minutes are you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt compunction about shooting them down." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I me upon any point which I do not make clear." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the coronet in his hands?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Yes." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over