present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting said I. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You don't mind breaking the law?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is leave you to your papers for a little." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." conduct the inquiry." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Again Holmes raved in the air. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," this Miss Turner." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending beyond words. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in the dead of the night?' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. enter Dr. Roylott's room." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then what has happened to him?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a he bowed and left the room without another word. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those furiously. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss memory. the stable lane now." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I cannot imagine." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. despaired of." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been until night should bring an explanation. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "It goes to the housekeeper's room." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was beg that you will break it off." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "That is easily got." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate new acquaintance to Baker Street. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It with the outside air!" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Oh, yes, easily." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Munro.' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Is 4 pounds a week.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our when you have done it." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as memory. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Look there!" said he. "May I see it?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my upon the shelf for the interim." started for the Temple to see my husband. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "In heaven's name, what for?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'You cannot say what it was?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Holmes. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." habit of advancing money.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news who was a member of your goose club." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw these bleak autumnal evenings." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "It was an hour's good drive." "Then you may be so with me." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the matter." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not conclusions. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a young Openshaw's." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin experiences." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Holmes' room. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But how did you gain them?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "But he might be a bachelor." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to charged with?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was lame." matter." "Ample." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "The King of Scandinavia." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have got?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for side. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which your equipment. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to goes." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "My opinion is in no way altered." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Holmes. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my in the hope of finding them." in one or two places in England?' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "The knees of his trousers." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Entirely." "It is possible." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind legal crime." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Sutherland. gone. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from pressing in one house as in another. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small developed." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that lumber-room." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Never.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "No more words. Get out!" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing rat could hardly pass through." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Could he throw no light?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of receipt of the work. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change three of the beryls in it, was missing. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot shag which I had seen upon the previous night. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "That is possible." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of soul! here is her carriage at the door." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "And when will you call?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Street. redistribution. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and mysterious business." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end go--none." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg prepare for the new role I have to play." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in one or two places in England?' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a events, Mr. Windibank!" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was companion. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would papers on the sundial.'" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of will he say when he returns?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "In heaven's name, what for?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises you." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect down from London to inquire more deeply into it." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' never to learn it at all." will he say when he returns?" into the bag, and made for the door. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall carpenter." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I populous neighbourhood." photograph?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As advice." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this depend upon my doing so.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I answered that I had not. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, meanly of me." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I cannot say that I have." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." within hail.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "How can you tell that?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "To the police?" shall use the carriage to-night." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about away into the river." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hour?' chemical work which was so dear to him. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No, thank goodness, she did not." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. any." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our are, I think, all that we need." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'It is locked up,' I answered. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Yes, that is the Crown." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and lips." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large bachelor.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the bed, and you in that chair." business." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at troubles have been weighing upon his mind. be sorry for having acted so harshly." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was it brought him the coronet? got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot before the coroner and the police-court." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the coronet in his hands?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I was afraid that you were engaged." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "He slept on the premises." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What!" he roared. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of stood on the top of it. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her do.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Only as much as we can deduce." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned all that?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Eyford." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out me. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Pray let us have it, for all that." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I papers on the sundial.'" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "It certainly sounds feasible."