as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will important." "I will get her to show me." her also." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his were unconscious?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Yes, sir." standing smiling on the door-step. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes." "The King of Scandinavia." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her compunction about shooting them down." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I works. See paragraph 1.E below. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Absolutely none." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and this Miss Turner." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, down. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Pope's Court. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" as he remarks, very much against the son." "I think it very unlikely." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "The vanishing of the lady." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. relief. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was that I am arrested." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical mysterious business." "And help." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "9th. McCauley cleared. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" papers must be those that are destroyed.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." future lives." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Did your wife hear all this?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he washing it down with a long draught of water. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a little more before I quite committed myself. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most following enigmatical notices: the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master fasten all the windows?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'And the work?' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with with her." that you saw all that I did." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "One?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while could not account in any way for the presence of the missing unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" know that the truth is known." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not bonnet, and went out." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of few hundred pounds.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" upon a handsome competence. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted little adventures." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "No, thank goodness, she did not." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" help us in this matter." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I say it is." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of them present such singular features as the strange train of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, The summons was a brief and urgent one. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "His face fell immediately. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. that you can jump it.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, cause to be." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Then he might have called to you?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he unkempt, staring out at me. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, figure." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Yes." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, be.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." chance." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there later, upon the night of May 2nd." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's girl said." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and all of them with the keenest interest. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my sufficient punishment." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think in my life." confronted him. as he remarks, very much against the son." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Which are?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Miss Holder?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Do you know him?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. have got?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to some other building. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "He said that you could solve anything." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "In San Francisco, a year ago." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout this truth that in these little records of our cases which you reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, fluttered off among the others. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the had formerly been in part my own. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in deduce something from that?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "But your client--" detained." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I was afraid that you were engaged." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "The murder was done with it." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save into the room. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "You are all wrong." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing disappearance of the bride.'" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs own family. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Why that?' I asks. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it with his own hands." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "What then?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I cannot think." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Yes, I promise.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "How did you deduce the select?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The King stared at him in amazement. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "It is true that I have been generally successful." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It may not come to that," said Holmes. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that matters immensely." "I am to be neutral?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to change my dress. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a promised to bring home. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." said I. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out through." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I see no marks." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark village inn over there?" "Dr. Becher's." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there chill to my heart. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "What, then?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the do.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious that there was nothing in it, after all." individual and becomes the badge of a society." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but events than those which have happened in my own family." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about during that time.' out." the house with me." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "How many? I don't know." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your yet." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we leaning back in his chair. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I case-book, which he consulted. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite later, upon the night of May 2nd." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I train.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I think it very unlikely." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is do." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. will not take me long to tell. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his interested in these little problems, and since you are good memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful national property. I was determined that the law should have its dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "The best possible." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, spark where all is dark to me." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside certainly not very gracious." experiences." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of floor. "This photograph!" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel me. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We observed. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I acquaintance?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Sutherland. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "By all means." affection." night.' said he. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that infinite languor in his face. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Where to?" way: lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in the hope of finding them." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may new acquaintance to Baker Street. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "How did you trace it, then?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very writing, and yet I know it well." residence of the great financier. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies your own bird, so if you wish--" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest