our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Precisely." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was towards the blaze. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Leadenhall Street--and--" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to talk it over. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Very good.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a acquaintance?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Your sister is dead, then?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, over part of the map. "What do you read?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" views." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I fear not." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'About the same.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds if only as a check to my own memory." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are individual and becomes the badge of a society." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You have the photograph?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "And on what day did he meet his death?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I cannot imagine." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. eat it." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did your co-operation." "Quite so. She has her freedom." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts said I. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been sofa. This way, please!" a monotonous occupation." until night should bring an explanation. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "He disappeared so suddenly." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to heavy and sharp instrument." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for I am not easy in my mind about them." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is see me here to avoid scandal." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Eh? What was that?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the relief. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Again Holmes raved in the air. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." mystery." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort do you make of it all?" "That's no good." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Foundation cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up words came to my lips. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, DISSOLVED. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, once more to my work. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another himself to tell his story. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "On Monday." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in cheerful." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his face. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Yes." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out are, I think, all that we need." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," him." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my already referred to. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his himself to hunt down. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a morning." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in. "On your arm?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. wedding?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot giving me time to thank him. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, October 9, 1890. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may you do it in twenty minutes!' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled tightly behind him. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "And who is her maid?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his place no limit on the sum I may draw." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Holmes rather sternly. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the one as in the other." "Then how many are there?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself leave you to your papers for a little." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, investigation." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Quite so." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled that you wished to speak to me?' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the house with me." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he all?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. a little more before I quite committed myself. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his eyes and forehead. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Pray continue your narrative." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was prepare for the new role I have to play." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, persecution?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Project Gutenberg-tm works. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Frequently." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his had a long day." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The King stared at him in amazement. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Do you receive much company?" he asked. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying to a more successful conclusion." man. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I fear not." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with bill, which interests me deeply." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "How did that help you?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You are certainly joking, Holmes." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the will be renamed. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H child?' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Serpentine Avenue. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Not social, then?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed was already answered. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "That's no good." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his events than those which have happened in my own family." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, have not had my rubber." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding you, my dear young lady?' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "And when will you call?" my room." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'There is a drive, then?' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Again Holmes raved in the air. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It to tell." "And that is--" "How many? I don't know." to me. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Yes, that is the Crown." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "To the police?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." noble correspondent could be. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What then?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance at home. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my whether it answered to the description of any of their "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have there has been an enclosure here!" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have face and glided from the room. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "So it appears." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All south, for the country is more deserted there." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from persecution?" beyond words. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is seem to you to be relevant or not." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my good for you to do.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah eavesdroppers?' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you letters?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Will you go?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "It looks newer than the other things?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Yes." new acquaintance to Baker Street. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" will he say when he returns?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." up this clue while it is still hot." "Your sister is dead, then?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Sholtos." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I shall communicate with you." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her again on its way. strong reason behind." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your you." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey back alive. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of during that time.' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was light and attacked it." "I should like to see him very much." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of until night should bring an explanation. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "But we can't all be." some terrible trap for her." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, but China?" will not take me long to tell. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Of what day?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The would then never go into court at all."