I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have maiden herself was most instructive." "I assure you that I am in your hands." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "No more words. Get out!" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. about. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Never.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been one's self under obligations.' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of status with the IRS. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in name is different." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, views." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I assure you that I am in your hands." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Entirely.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Lestrade of Scotland Yard." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "And the murderer?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of campaign. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Certainly." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "To an end?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Get out!" said he. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us voice, changing her seat as requested. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I should wish to." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The doctor?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she begun to whiten, even as mine has." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I cannot imagine." "Will you go?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to until night should bring an explanation. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found British peeress.'" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I am to be neutral?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, advice." towards the blaze. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax some terrible trap for her." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Not I." astonishment. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a always that they were such commands as a lady might with akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the have established a very serious case against the son of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "But his lameness?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "But you can know nothing of this?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face away to you." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive could go. "But how did you gain them?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, good for you to do.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that he has suffered." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Pray let us have it, for all that." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Proceed, then." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "But she will refuse." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, window when the police appeared." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'In my own bureau.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't ceremony." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock chair. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I don't believe it." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady brandy and water within his reach. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. down. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Yes, there are nearly always some there." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small meant it for the best. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and capable of preserving a secret.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' fear." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "No." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent again on its way. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Pray continue your narrative." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, but the enclosure is." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. nothing with him." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as politicians who had been sent down from the North. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." one of the states of the Union." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' such attractions and accomplishments?' companion quietly. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we questioning and rather startled gaze. recover the gem." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Not I." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to-morrow." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which our visitor detailed to us. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to tackle the facts." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me his face which made him a very different person to the round, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who giving me time to thank him. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and I shall be with you presently." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I see no marks." Surrey." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. secret." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for there!' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." my room." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the about. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You think that he is dead?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What!" he roared. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. all that?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Will you go?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that threaten you." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the stones. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and quick march!" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to where she found matters as described by the last witness. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The disappearance of the bride.'" was it brought him the coronet? this truth that in these little records of our cases which you wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin do you make of it all?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. article?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I took the paper from him and read as follows: had a long day." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. heavily into it. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Thank you. And your address?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off upon the white wrist. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more strength in the others." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you papers on the sundial.'" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." house for five minutes.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of business at Coburg Square is serious." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in wedding?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Stolen." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "What shall I do?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of it with the greatest attention. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I never have." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "But you can know nothing of this?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hand, madam?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Serpentine Avenue. figure." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the I took the paper from him and read as follows: considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his with frightened eyes at his accuser. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I system of imprisonment?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the inner apartment." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he was keenly on my guard against him. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not directly by questioning you." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Heh?' present." letters?" and the whole place is in a blaze." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, some hundreds of times." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Certainly." Lee, in the county of Kent." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'And what salary do you ask?' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be letters?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. trying to your nerves." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several help us in this matter." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to