outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable beg that you will break it off." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. do.' congratulate you again." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah I. "'What then?' I asked. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Certainly." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed such person." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to arrive at through this?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "My private note-paper." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from morning." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "To the police?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I delighted to hear it," he said. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, would then never go into court at all." posted to-day." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination some water from a caraffe. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. wedding?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were hour." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I think it very unlikely." the ceiling. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I am in hopes that she does." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. handed it to him. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small bird of prey. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Only as much as we can deduce." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the I nodded to show that I had heard. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet extraordinary contortions. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by plantation.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And the cigar-holder?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I held the little printed slip to the light. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "And why?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has fat-encircled eyes. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in darkness. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "No." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest congenial hunt. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "About a month then." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in this note: "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And sit in the dark?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I what these perils are?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Come in!" said Holmes. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. words came to my lips. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide wanted for ourselves." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and it need not interfere very much with one's other re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Very murderous indeed." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. exactly what you advise." speckled band?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Has he come with you to-night?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Why serious?" be. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "A call for help, you thought?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly drawing your inferences." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The King of Scandinavia." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Were they all fastened this morning?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he excitement. friends, not even his own brother. for and were ordered to this address. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, until night should bring an explanation. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to salesman. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us crowd. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with promised to bring home. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That footfalls from the street. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with bird I ate is country bred." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the bled considerably." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master http://www.gutenberg.net the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I your own bird, so if you wish--" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "He is still with you, I presume?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm McCarthy." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," dead, shall be safe with us." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the I was concerned in it." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "She showed me, as I told you she would." key of the affair now." existence." me." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent you." a room. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I guessed as much." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the bed, and you in that chair." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never been able to understand it, in a very few words. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And how did you verify them?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. gentleman's clothes. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "VIOLET HUNTER." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is business in the City. She little knew what. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of receipt of the work. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Here?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for voice. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and upon a handsome competence. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. excitement. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. murdered man." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man see a sister of mine apply for." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no families. Now for the facts. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Oh, no.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I will, Miss Turner." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs you." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, man. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Always." the best of training." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "At half-wages, in fact." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "A client, then?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. charge against him will break down." compunction about shooting them down." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." appeal." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, conduct the inquiry." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." fattened it expressly for you.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" too. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "What! a murderous attack?" "'Where to?' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "What can you not understand?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account know that the truth is known." there!' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after was shining brightly. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or what do you think they found in the pockets?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I will not look." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Have you her photograph?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Yes." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a For additional contact information: ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as taking in every detail of the apartment. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "BALLARAT." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked something of him before." at once, for I have only half an hour." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency may never be exposed to such a temptation." detective. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You are all wrong." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "What of the rat, then?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the ceiling. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good