"My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I approached. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' easy-going way." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "If so, much may have happened between." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I have hopes." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was keenly on my guard against him. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "You are all wrong." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the standing smiling on the door-step. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "He might." "Yes, certainly." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" upon an income of about 60 pounds." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much row." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same nothing with him." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had morning." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough place no limit on the sum I may draw." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and all of them with the keenest interest. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, lips." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "How did you trace it, then?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and inquire as to the address." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching light and attacked it." "And I." asked with his eyes open. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Henry Baker is a member." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Perhaps I have." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event business." "I never have." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. it." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, make me his representative both with the servants and with the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the returning from some small jollification and was making his way between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Not in a good cause." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. late." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the writing, and yet I know it well." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a ashen face. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that threaten you." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which presume?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "In San Francisco, a year ago." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' outside." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Was there a secret marriage?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "To an English lawyer named Norton." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Why that?' I asks. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and is worth.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, to some other building. "The knees of his trousers." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was grasp, he hurried from the room. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Where, then?" "That is easily got." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Proceed, then." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in this note: have been better. It is all right." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have not had my rubber." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a very grave face. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what man. I know him from the photograph." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and have this put in the evening papers." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "By no means." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, chill to my heart. himself. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a shall use the carriage to-night." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Doctor, of the paper and the date." "No." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Not yet." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "But his left-handedness." "Then, how do you know?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes. He waved his hands." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and I shall be with you presently." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Ample." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Dirty?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I would give my fortune to have them back." the side-table." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp strength." "Of what?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. behind me. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted in his hands." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense your sleep?' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "How many? I don't know." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my or in danger--" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his way in." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite a monotonous occupation." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, highroad, where all traces were lost. him, that man would not have given me such complete information have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the warnings." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Not in a good cause." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Is he quiet?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of just called myself is not exactly my own." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your meant it for the best. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "No, thank goodness, she did not." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Nothing?" "His face fell immediately. unprecedented a position." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' indeed which he could not unravel. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out look dissatisfied." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique possible that we could bring him back to her? "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have take the flies, but not before." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the nursery. events than those which have happened in my own family." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." wife's character?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of of the way of danger. "That was it, sir." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than to his chemical studies. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And how did he make his money?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, man. I know him from the photograph." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the once more to my work. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." secret." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should British peeress.'" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Is purely nominal.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned comes from the middle window." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she him." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Never." "I have solved it." not personally threatened." "In the cells." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here down in his armchair and closing his eyes. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the salesman. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a it right.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "This photograph!" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, States. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so must compliment you." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be himself. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Of what day?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I you, my dear young lady?' "Really! You surprise me." "And your father? Did you tell him?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day roused himself from his reverie. carriage. It was a chestnut." to miss it." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "No." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "But you can know nothing of this?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came