"Eh? What was that?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "The murder was done with it." "But we can't all be." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But child?' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of enter into my head. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over or in danger--" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on morning." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Pope's Court. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the tied." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. jewels which you have stolen?' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that III. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, written, and locked the door of the office after me. papers must be those that are destroyed.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Where to?" "When did it break out?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the outside." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that you saw all that I did." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding nonsense.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I don't say that. Perhaps." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Dr. Becher's." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "How are you getting on?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Look there!" said he. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. murdered man." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather be. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "In answer to an advertisement." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she guilty one." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Oh, fresh and glossy." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then morning." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Did you observe the colour?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But I am all in the dark." waste of energy." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about 11:15.' some water from a caraffe. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in her also." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner following enigmatical notices: of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. remarked. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "But he might be a bachelor." character. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a on re-entering her father's house?" acquaintance?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between himself. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which really the only notable feature about the thing." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been hereditary King of Bohemia." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Never." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that I may have something better before very many minutes are question," said Holmes, smiling. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had sneer upon his pale face. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Murdered?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not come at once?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, you." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "What do you make of that, Watson?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "You are hungry," I remarked. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you than to us. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I shall communicate with you." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "The knees of his trousers." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I cannot tell." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the like gravel from a pit.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'Certainly,' I answered. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the official police." the station." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on miles off. of the one which your family is now devouring." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" stammered. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to forebodings. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from fasten all the windows?" peculiar to him. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate nice household for a young lady." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that, and I came down." have one." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "No, finished." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may questioning and rather startled gaze. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" name is different." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled colour had been driven from his face. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was your co-operation." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the upon a handsome competence. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "And why in hopes?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I am following you closely," I answered. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after have accepted such a situation. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case must be when I saw the door open.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Quite so. She has her freedom." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to-night's adventure." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some know all about it," he snarled. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. money should be paid at once.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As extraordinary contortions. what I may call a really hard day's work." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our his cane at the bell-pull. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal posted to-day." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I have hopes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "None." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the ceiling. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may examination of the premises, but without finding anything which was a lad." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where strength in the others." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady 'I should be able to look after that for you.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "There are none." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much records." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "There is the writing." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "How about poison?" October 9, 1890. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it 1.E.9. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at during that time.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I promise," said Holmes. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." behind me. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what considering the formidable letters which were received by himself standing smiling on the door-step. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." with frightened eyes at his accuser. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, dead, shall be safe with us." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "That you are never beaten." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "You forget that I know nothing about it." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "But you have hopes?" "'In my own bureau.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of I shall communicate with you." cost them two and thirty pounds." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "You don't mind breaking the law?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Awake, Watson?" he asked. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "How do you know, then?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is outbreak?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. papers on the sundial.'" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that views." the address that was given us in the advertisement. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Perfectly so." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." letters?" Street. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "By no means." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what correct than the official force." gigantic client. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I will do it." way in everything. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to a light-house. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You are all wrong." "Pray let us have it, for all that." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "No sign of it?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a telegram would bring me down to your help." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "By train from Waterloo." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I think that it is very probable." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But bill, which interests me deeply." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. begun to whiten, even as mine has." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at my former friend and companion. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot tightly behind him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought