Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon retorted upon me, and I on you." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the lumber-room." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of opportunities to fix the problem. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "No, distinctly professional." woven round him. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring developed." "To an end?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." was already answered. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to-night's adventure." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a This is what he says: with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "My dear Holmes!" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you?" interests were the same as his." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "But what will you do?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as things are very often connected not with the larger but with the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you way in everything. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Yes." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not populous neighbourhood." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "And why?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was asked. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "It may not come to that," said Holmes. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in union?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Game for a morning drive?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may His name is Francis Prosper." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the little opening for the ventilator is." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Oh, yes, easily." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Mrs. Toller serenely. business matters.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'In my own bureau.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk you in your example." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wedding?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands cheerful." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is this remarkable episode. written. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And I to find an enemy." matter." go from here to the Strand." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. man. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "VIOLET HUNTER." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding for and were ordered to this address. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we next day. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great you." speckled band?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was his face. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the King without delay." some terrible trap for her." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the with her." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you him to go away.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few been shamefully used." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight invisible to me," I remarked. legal crime." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Whose house is it?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this developed." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises went to the Alpha were town bred." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Get out!" said he. and no precautions can guard against." hand, madam?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "10th. John Swain cleared. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have established a very serious case against the son of the himself to tell his story. so.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. will not take me long to tell. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and comes from the middle window." name is different." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it thin legs towards the fire. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." than to us. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Certainly." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And Miss Sutherland?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge yet." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear there when the Rucastles went away." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It must be recovered." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and wait." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for its centre. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long waste of energy." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, hands. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of eat it." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he knowledge of the world." before, for it was considerably after midnight. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "It is true that I have been generally successful." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yes." cigar and let me expound." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will galvanised. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of neither fascinating nor artistic." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Yes." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that you wished to speak to me?' disappearance of these gems?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "How do you know, then?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Pool. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I shall most certainly do so." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and a shock of very red hair. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more was a loud and authoritative tap. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the station." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Really! You surprise me." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, His name is Francis Prosper." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Pray do so." "I promise," said Holmes. enter into my head. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "My private note-paper." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the conclusions. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Munro.' locked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit memory. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" him. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let taking in every detail of the apartment. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hour?' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Quite so. She has her freedom." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'Oh, no.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the station." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Farm upon the left." "I will get her to show me." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to companion imperturbably. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where do you make of it all?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I will try. What is it?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon dates and names. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Then the page we have seen--" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your said I. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire happened." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman I was concerned in it." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though tied." "How can you tell that?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I cannot as yet see any connection." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the salesman. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Was he the only applicant?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'I am sure if I had known--' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "What then?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. key of the affair now." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "What then?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I speckled band?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to a light-house. into the bag, and made for the door. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "What do you mean?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of legal crime." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "To ruin me." down. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so stood on the top of it. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "That is not always so easy." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love my former friend and companion. "At the wedding breakfast." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" closing the door. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Did your wife hear all this?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It is true that I have been generally successful." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I shall be delighted." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded she might be summoned. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "To the police?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Then what has happened to him?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and your relations to her." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in him. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a there is a decided draught." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an