coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid joking. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "One?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I beg pardon." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "A greater distance to travel." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And your mother is alive?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence chamber." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He awkward doing business with an alias." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, forebodings. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your least a most suspicious remark." it." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly this unhappy family?" "I should wish to." your own bird, so if you wish--" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at my remark. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment business in the City. She little knew what. families. Now for the facts. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great nothing of it?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Yes." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I approached. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his breakfast." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "The doctor?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," maiden herself was most instructive." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "But she could not love him." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple mystery." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty most interesting one." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall your billet.' down. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "But to whom?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. call the police, let the police find what they can.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Farm upon the left." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It is possible." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, point in the dark hollow of his hand. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It beg that you will break it off." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to I shall communicate with you." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Never." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that humiliation." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bled considerably." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Always." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put against a man in the prime of life?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I again before evening." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised about. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other their singular warning or token before them when starting upon jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, address. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." charged with?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared His smile broadened. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may what I may call a really hard day's work." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Can I be of assistance?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of call it cruel." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let chamber." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to affect your life." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "He slept on the premises." examine." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes, I have one waiting." "I am still in the dark." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, her also." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'Entirely.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Nothing." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "One horse?" interjected Holmes. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Yes, the wine-cellar." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "My private note-paper." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same both be extremely obliged.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had a long day." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new giving me time to thank him. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to him and tried to hold him back. "Do you go out much in society?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the new acquaintance to Baker Street. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a DISSOLVED. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have established a very serious case against the son of the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the down. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "My photograph." your room." indiscretion." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on I took the paper from him and read as follows: was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes, the wine-cellar." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we letters?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. plantation.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away breakfast and whispered something to her husband. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his cost them two and thirty pounds." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Proceed, then." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save plantation.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest morning." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New like that before?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. retorted upon me, and I on you." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, ashen face. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it away in different directions, and I went off to make my own resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I heavy and sharp instrument." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." third from London." "When did it break out?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Holmes. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. man. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Stolen, then." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "In San Francisco, a year ago." and no precautions can guard against." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That also I could fathom." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where strength of mind to control. least a most suspicious remark." way in." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's clang of the bell. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman do you make of it all?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You have carte blanche." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I fear not." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the ceiling. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it memory. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Certainly not.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and McCarthy's innocence. tightly behind him. little trying to do so much typewriting?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out it? Did I buy the geese off you?" narrative." these bleak autumnal evenings." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have very morning of my second wedding." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "This concluded the examination of the witness." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I to you." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I cannot say that I have." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I am about to be married." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug galvanised. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "But who is he?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business awaited us upon the table. "He said too much." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "You horrify me." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes, he did." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "But what is it you wish?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Where could I find him?' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not than was visible to me." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain chance at all." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which families. Now for the facts. and laid it on the table. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager than to us. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Count Von Kramm." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated ashen face. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to