several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, is a common subject for conversation. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "How long did she speak to this Alice?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Perfectly so." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." purpose of examination. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "One of the highest in England." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir morning." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "At what time?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Well, some hundreds of times." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or outsides of the windows. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Why that?' I asks. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was forehead. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them brandy and water within his reach. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off in his hands." of it with the greatest attention. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted sentimental considerations in the background which would induce The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "That also I could fathom." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both was already answered. indeed happy." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and the church but not where the lady lived." putting in the horse. "Precisely so. But how--" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story never to learn it at all." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "An enemy?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. cigars in the box." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the again on its way. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, strode off upon his way. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the driver. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he habit of advancing money.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood unprofitable." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "That is easily got." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'About the same.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of death." to a light-house. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary breakfast." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight little adventures." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a http://gutenberg.net/license). The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal that you wished to speak to me?' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'Then let me do so?' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his knees, staring into the fire. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client that there was nothing in it, after all." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I was certainly surprised to find you there." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I am armed." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy politicians who had been sent down from the North. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows McCarthy." weighed down with some great anxiety. carried out of court." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Will you go?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a as the one I chose?' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the newspaper selections." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you know what is wrong with it.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs business." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the one as in the other." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard was a perfect sample of the class. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Very. But will he see it?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Mrs. Toller serenely. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Holmes' room. seven miles from Eyford Station.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "In answer to an advertisement." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, figure." "My Mary? Impossible!" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Ten to two.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. photograph?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I least a most suspicious remark." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Why? What do you mean?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes mystery may be cleared along those lines." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which sound at heart." "She walked into the breakfast-room." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Why? What do you mean?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as passage and a tap at the door. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of official police." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." promised to bring home. "But he might be a bachelor." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting girl said." lamp. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked sound at heart." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Well, but China?" him!" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary help us in this matter." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "But not more so than I to find you." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just breakfast?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' know all about it," he snarled. some water from a caraffe. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "What do you make of that, Watson?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about gone before you can get him to hospital." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "What, then?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and asked. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Where does the thing come from?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I do you make of it all?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the disturbance in my wife." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he with you alone." "How did you deduce the select?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, States. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Mrs. Toller serenely. "In which, sir?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Munro.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there from you?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "But how?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "But we can't all be." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, legal crime." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Quite sure, dad.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely suddenly upon us." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap assist you in forming an opinion." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room desk. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "She walked into the breakfast-room." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a happened." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'And what salary do you ask?' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his eyes and forehead. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "So I am. Very much so." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I correct than the official force." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was feeling which was the fattest.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and all-comprehensive glances. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge key turn in the lock." residence of the great financier. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I cannot think." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I posted to-day." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Where, then, is my wife?" meant." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great dear old homesteads?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece a suggestive one." to a more successful conclusion." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "That is easily got." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' speckled band?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'Certainly not.' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What is it?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace details." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive McCarthy." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he secret." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "But the mystery?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' Foundation "Very much so." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Gutenberg-tm License. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The doctor?" from you?" voice, changing her seat as requested. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then