the devil!" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it vanished into the darkness. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream empty. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any noble correspondent could be. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some shall use the carriage to-night." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "And Miss Sutherland?" his knees, staring into the fire. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing guilty one." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the definite end. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. breakfast?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and take the flies, but not before." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid wedding?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "He is still with you, I presume?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to his chemical studies. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'I am sure that I do not know.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid had a long day." "That is easily got." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ago." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no at my remark. "None." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and became a certainty. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a suggestive one." nights." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fat-encircled eyes. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email peculiar to him. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, clanging. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may future lives." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an from you?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I should like to see him very much." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the meant it for the best. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 nice household for a young lady." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Certainly." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose copied or distributed: corner of the building. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the character. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The considering the formidable letters which were received by himself decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Perhaps I have." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Then, as to money?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were directors have had misgivings upon the subject." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the taking in every detail of the apartment. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "There is the writing." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from you?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this go from here to the Strand." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Not him." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "What then?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "But his left-handedness." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "To the police?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass open." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she From what you have told me I think that it is possible that were new raised from a basin. him to go away.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Entirely.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." pictures, libraries, or plate. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Is purely nominal.' tell them apart.' already referred to. reach." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I was mad--insane." "But what is it you wish?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice already been minutely examined." soul! here is her carriage at the door." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the as the one I chose?' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some anything to do with the matter?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you flock.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "My stepfather's business papers." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the he died? "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to companion. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in IS alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "But how did you gain them?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their least a most suspicious remark." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but people don't know." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I someone who had been in Australia." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the roots. companion. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Here?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "The landlord of the Alpha." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be where she found matters as described by the last witness. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the used to be." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and capable of preserving a secret.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Her father is very rich?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. was lame." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I should like to see him very much." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your You want to know what became of those geese?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to out." once more. me. You must get home instantly and act." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for even so self-evident a thing as that." "You have but to name it." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the running down." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." quickly through a disagreeable task. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the bird I ate is country bred." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. woman." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "You forget that I know nothing about it." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Stolen." "My last client of the sort was a king." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our 11:15.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "And I to find an enemy." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my awkward doing business with an alias." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send all-comprehensive glances. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), is worth.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Who by?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "And I say east," said my patient. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It absorbing." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "She showed me, as I told you she would." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." chill to my heart. best detective that ever lived. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something I leave." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was is four-and-twenty." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Thank you. And your address?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with threw himself down with his face to the pillow. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed works. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know her also." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "How are you getting on?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are delighted to hear it," he said. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Whose house is it?" the coroner come to?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to own family. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "None." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these nonsense.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The best possible." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "How many? I don't know." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some