discontent upon his features. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and wait." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital if only as a check to my own memory." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." closely." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached to arrive at through this?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help lumber-room." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case despaired of." "I was sure that I might rely on you." in. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one matter over." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to thirty. "The knees of his trousers." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came depend upon your compliance." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the so-precious time, but come!' "It certainly sounds feasible." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Will you bet, then?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Only as much as we can deduce." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the inquest, and which are worth considering." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in you." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be vault. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Did you observe the colour?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Not social, then?" father's place of business?" behind me. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her retorted upon me, and I on you." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" has little to do with my story." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done over here." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be one which it was hard to resist. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian with you alone." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Yes, I promise.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked chemical work which was so dear to him. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you did not hear it also.' nonsense.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk begun to whiten, even as mine has." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A present." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily bled considerably." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I do.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to-night?' photograph?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "VIOLET HUNTER." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of was already answered. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and my little problems." "One of the highest in England." prisoner's face. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Chief Executive and Director to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are breakfast and whispered something to her husband. manager. seem to you to be relevant or not." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." him." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said ready to-morrow?' foresight and the moral retrogression?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "To the police?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Perhaps I have." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "That is easily got." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. death." "Perhaps I have." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed himself in a perplexing position. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, desk. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "He disappeared so suddenly." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed grasp, he hurried from the room. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the away to you." time." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" this as likely?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the one as in the other." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached gbnewby@pglaf.org be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "From his hat?" residence of the great financier. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a infinite languor in his face. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "His face fell immediately. "It is possible." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Not social, then?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can interest. They are important, you understand, without being train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Not yet." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "ARAT," I read. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will such person." "The Cedars?" his huge brown hands. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" done what I asked you, Jones?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Precisely." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'And what salary do you ask?' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "What then?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "That you are never beaten." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and events than those which have happened in my own family." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get do.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "What?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Well, but China?" Chief Executive and Director purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Yes." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Two days later this same performance was gone through under said he. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily than was visible to me." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall James Windibank. Voilà tout!" room had already been engaged for us. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting be.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about seem to you to be relevant or not." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and I shall be with you presently." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And Irene Adler?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. client, rising. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, but China?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Certainly." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in him." not as remarkable as your advertisement." allusion to a rat. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. people don't know." "My last client of the sort was a king." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss strength of mind to control. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no said I. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And how did you verify them?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'Where to?' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is possible." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four what these perils are?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about companion. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Then I shall certainly come." business in the City. She little knew what. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You were travelling in the States?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I should wish to." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, question," said Holmes, smiling. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Very. But will he see it?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two yards of it?' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of touch that coronet?' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Tired-looking or fresh?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "This concluded the examination of the witness." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction pictures, libraries, or plate. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Perhaps we may make them less so." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce