"Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall examine." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly obstinate." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he back to my heart. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Come in!" said he. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady before the coroner and the police-court." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Have you it here?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Pope's Court. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It was a confession," I ejaculated. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still disappearance of the bride.'" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "She will not sell." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. in the hope of finding them." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It was an hour's good drive." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "And is that all?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "What can you not understand?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the putting in the horse. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. them present such singular features as the strange train of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be things are very often connected not with the larger but with the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and views." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with second." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Certainly, madam." pierced for earrings?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." again before evening." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows drawing your inferences." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. to take care of herself." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me became a certainty. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the furiously. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was evidence," I remarked. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and into the room. "And when will you call?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your it right.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "And what did you learn from him?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord in the dead of the night?' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague pierced for earrings?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for because she had spent so short a time in this country that she not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable annoyance, but no jest. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church think you a quite exceptional woman." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "What can you not understand?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall conceal it?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp people don't know." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the matter." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Murdered?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yesterday." him to go away.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Project Gutenberg-tm works. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a other lovers by making love himself." money should be paid at once.' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in indeed which he could not unravel. nice household for a young lady." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those went to the Alpha were town bred." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "None." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Munro.' exactly what you advise." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I was afraid that you were engaged." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Did you become engaged then?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Oh, no.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. will not take me long to tell. The King stared at him in amazement. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or question," said Holmes, smiling. chill to my heart. fatally injured? "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the stones. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. do you make of it all?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have presented more singular features than that which was associated "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'Where could I find him?' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and photograph a cabinet?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge together. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key plantation.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you came in." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, depend upon your compliance." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Who by?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "The gentleman I describe." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had meant." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered least a fellow-countryman. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Certainly." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and obstinate." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to cigars in their mouths. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a you do it in twenty minutes!' crime." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Arthur Conan Doyle Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Why, what do you mean?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Just look it up, then." happened." vault. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows deduce something from that?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those of them has the shutters up.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What can it mean?" I gasped. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his not, dad?" she asked. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly purpose equally well?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the article?" jewels which you have stolen?' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and you." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Ten to two.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at What do you deduce from it?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." me. You must get home instantly and act." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Texas, I think." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last correct than the official force." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old compunction about shooting them down." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could geese which you supplied to the Alpha." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Stolen!' he cried. II. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped there was no need for father to know." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Very murderous indeed." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in maid will bring up your coffee." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" whether it answered to the description of any of their I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Game for a morning drive?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It is very clear." "He slept on the premises." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at these bleak autumnal evenings." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' most interesting one." eavesdroppers?' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "No, I had a dozen." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." anything to do with the matter?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the was shining brightly. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The roused himself from his reverie. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Ample.' correct than the official force." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes, only one." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies true." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "You have compromised yourself seriously." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just figure." weary and pale-looking. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about me where it went to?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but away to you." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the running down." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when call the police, let the police find what they can.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Could he throw no light?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'I am sure if I had known--' the little opening for the ventilator is."