"That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual looking up at the numbers of the houses." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, is now desirous of getting those letters back." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said strong and stiff." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just opportunities to fix the problem. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up strength in the others." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Then, how do you know?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It was." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, have one." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own points to suicide?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement colonel looking down at me. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the plantation.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lost nothing by them." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on simple cases which are so extremely difficult." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'Why that?' I asks. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Eyford." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had narrative." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he allusion to a rat. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Then you may entirely rely on me." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Dark enough and sinister enough." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "What do you make of that, Watson?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Indeed! Whose, then?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting here and I will read it to you: certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "How did that help you?" to talk it over. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope bachelor.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "In San Francisco, a year ago." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and put his glass in his pocket. "I know where it is." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight joking. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." meant it for the best. dramatic, in fact." out." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Not particularly." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "And from a noble client?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was at home. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." salesman. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Munro.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." pressing in one house as in another. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Then I can wait in the next room." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would night.' said he. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Is he quiet?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism have established a very serious case against the son of the "It is true that I have been generally successful." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you manager. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then take the flies, but not before." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a status with the IRS. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Did your wife hear all this?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven late!' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." cigars in the box." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The summons was a brief and urgent one. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Pray do so." "But how will you look?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It surprised me." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Proceed, then." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "But what is it you wish?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of this as likely?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's gone. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of the way of danger. crowd. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most details." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "How do you know, then?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and effective." key of the affair now." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Where is it, then?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'Where to?' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "And you thought he was pulled back?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other into her hand at the door and which lured her within their client, rising. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than me upon any point which I do not make clear." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sneer upon his pale face. wedding?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in any." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "It is solved." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney key turn in the lock." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same late." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the writers could invent nothing more crude." telegram would bring me down to your help." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "When did it break out?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes, certainly." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Leave Paddington by the 11:15." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You have the photograph?" Holmes. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I would give my fortune to have them back." digesting their breakfasts at home." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Come in!" said he. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, signal between you and your father? permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Nearly eleven." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Is purely nominal.' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for dear old homesteads?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it footfalls from the street. late!' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our details." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George down in his armchair and closing his eyes. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we meanly of me." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "No?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of such person." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to-morrow." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. yet." "Tired-looking or fresh?" For additional contact information: For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent some terrible trap for her." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. noting anything else of interest. head. So long, then!" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "The murder was done with it." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "To ruin me." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, at my own good fortune. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, detective. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'Yes, it was gone.' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and your relations to her." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might whole matter to your consideration." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, in this note: ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding direction." your billet.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the visitors." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "None." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Certainly." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce again on its way. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the south-west, I see." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his quickly through a disagreeable task. and inquire as to the address." suspect him." "You have carte blanche." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very writer." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to some other building. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "No." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "The murder was done with it." and wait." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is was lame." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, goes." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And it is--" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." happened." tied." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that he bowed and left the room without another word. present." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But how did you gain them?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Absolutely none." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Which dealer's?' row." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would know all about it," he snarled. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked