been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought towards the blaze. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain best detective that ever lived. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Quite so." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Never.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Dr. Gregory B. Newby already referred to. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to where he stood hid behind the curtain. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'I am sure if I had known--' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I cannot imagine." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for himself to hunt down. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes, at the mines." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are them present such singular features as the strange train of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Dr. Becher's." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and delighted to hear it," he said. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "How did he come?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? appointment with me for six o'clock?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not quickly through a disagreeable task. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "So I am. Very much so." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." The summons was a brief and urgent one. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as shoulder; "he's all right." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you your co-operation." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor fait accompli?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that best detective that ever lived. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the again before evening." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months go back?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE shoulder. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and there was no need for father to know." "Texas, I think." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry situation." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter married her." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "And how?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the house with me." the matter?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the general public were present, then?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, coroner's jury." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "On the contrary, this is the right side." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" bled considerably." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned better grown goose." strong reason behind." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off front of the hall door has given its name to the place. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at could go. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "No, my brougham is waiting." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect husband's writing, madam." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "What have you to say now?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "No legal papers or certificates?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it me. You must get home instantly and act." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." be there in time for your coming." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing so far?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew what do you think they found in the pockets?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "No, I had a dozen." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where directors, with the result that you have seen." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'And what salary do you ask?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Which dealer's?' "What can you not understand?" "Witness: Nothing definite. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, made him keep the appointment." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I do." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will taking in every detail of the apartment. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "BALLARAT." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be photograph?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" undoubtedly my uncle's." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon heavily into it. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "We must sit without light. He would see it through the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, generous with you in money matters.' she might be summoned. definite end. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I will try. What is it?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Pray tell us what has happened to you." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, nights." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and them?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to tackle the facts." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our cheerful." "Yes, I have one waiting." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Mary, has deserted me." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens vanished into the darkness. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And from a noble client?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Your French gold?" such person." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "None. Neville wrote those words." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "In San Francisco, a year ago." case before our client came into the room." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that closely." believe that I should never have any practice at all. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce important." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an His name is Francis Prosper." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in drove away. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat it." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though gone. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if as he remarks, very much against the son." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. had picked up in the wood. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Leadenhall Street--and--" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven allusion to a rat. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "He said too much." them?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" attention." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to meant it for the best. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon late!' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" nothing with him." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "9th. McCauley cleared. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Oh, no.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me electronic works sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and 'please.'" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Well, it is a possible supposition." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing approach us with offers to donate. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are tapping his fingers upon the table. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no definite end. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I was used.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Do you know him?" bird of prey. words came to my lips. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "To an end?" was lame." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That happened." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Quite so." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British ran thus: prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the foresight and the moral retrogression?" he died? he died? unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Here?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, business matters.' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of carriage. It was a chestnut." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is worth.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father