abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are go back?" "What!" he roared. "What I expected to see." to-morrow." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and tension within him. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Certainly." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hereditary King of Bohemia." read it out to me." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the coroner come to?" in. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was business." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Nothing?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with present." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall conceal it?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the bed, and you in that chair." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own purpose of examination. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now said I. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Did you become engaged then?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the best of training." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until outbreak?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before children over to America with him, so that I found myself without de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You have carte blanche." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My gone. "Then you may be so with me." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "A client, then?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "How can you tell that?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel for securing the situation." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "9th. McCauley cleared. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" house for five minutes.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then at a side door. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for someone who had been in Australia." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the It may be so in this case, also." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "And how?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I have it here in my museum." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a writers could invent nothing more crude." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "What then?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a this man was intellectual?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the night.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "My opinion is in no way altered." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If dramatic, in fact." which are rolled in Rotterdam." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our gone before you can get him to hospital." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings there is a decided draught." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never coat-tails." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "And did you observe any change in her then?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." that he will be back before evening." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly made his money." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "There are none." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with bonnet, and went out." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project any." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your fire. You quite follow me?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Well, some hundreds of times." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and goes." "Then I do not see the point." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of coroner's jury." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "How about poison?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in said Mr. Holder. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I fear not." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a voice. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But I am all in the dark." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have would apply.' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Seven!" I answered. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the loss of it. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without rooms." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very in a very precise fashion." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" thirty. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was feeling which was the fattest.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." followed. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to crime." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the him." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and no precautions can guard against." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a signal between you and your father? before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes, that is the Crown." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Certainly not.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not tell them apart.' "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "No good news?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "To an English lawyer named Norton." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the little opening for the ventilator is." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to change my dress. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found detained." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. business matters.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that you saw all that I did." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips chance." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt gone. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's threw himself down with his face to the pillow. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless himself to tell his story. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I am following you closely," I answered. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers off." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country rose-bushes. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to have that photograph." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I shall most certainly do so." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, whereabouts. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. taking in every detail of the apartment. the very morning of the wedding." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Pray let us have it, for all that." "My dear Holmes!" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." that he will be back before evening." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and that, and I came down." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings that there was nothing in it, after all." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about him. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not was it brought him the coronet? then?" delighted to hear it," he said. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Mrs. Toller serenely. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming events, Mr. Windibank!" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. McCarthy's innocence. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to outside. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob closing the door. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door his face. was feeling which was the fattest.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project investigation." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you in his power. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Witness: Nothing definite. jewels which you have stolen?' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Nothing." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was dramatic, in fact." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. then?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the side-table." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at indiscretion." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? during that time.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious go--none." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, It may be so in this case, also." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is said I. cigar and let me expound." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no crowd. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or what do you think they found in the pockets?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, least a most suspicious remark." neither fascinating nor artistic." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "You saw the ventilator, too?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well rat could hardly pass through." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick towards the blaze. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's