that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "But you have hopes?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to me. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. outside. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his quickly through a disagreeable task. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Ten will be early enough." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "It is a murder, then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of go--none." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." go from here to the Strand." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to weapon." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really himself to hunt down. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend and looked back. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole their singular warning or token before them when starting upon into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Then, as to money?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this breakfast." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'I have heard so.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' room?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have accepted such a situation. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any which was all perfectly true. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Married! When?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for country, and eventually married, without anyone having a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I John Swain, of St. Augustine. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But I am all in the dark." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Perfectly so." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, me what he had done with the three missing stones. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction information in his hands the value of which he did not himself it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If success. "That is not always so easy." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sofa. This way, please!" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "At half-wages, in fact." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Very much so." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from which it had come upon my father." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was a lad." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Holmes rather sternly. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they it." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not respectable self." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Because he was handy and would come cheap." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I never have." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the clang of the bell. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will take the flies, but not before." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would must be when I saw the door open.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I fear not." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'I shall certainly be there.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and strength of mind to control. "Witness: It was. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Ample.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his overpowering excitement and concern. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I again, where I was soon asleep. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." peculiar to him. had this final quarrel? "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" me. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking was shining brightly. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I was mad--insane." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Cross for the Continent." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "No. What a strange idea!" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I cannot say that I have." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I am about to be married." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be suggested at once that there must be a communication between the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of enter Dr. Roylott's room." address. about. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "A confidential servant?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'How far from the body?' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Perfectly so." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." locked. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining cigars in the box." "No." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. vanished into the darkness. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "From his hat?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few suspect him." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, persecution?" and wait." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Your sister is dead, then?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. hand, madam?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the acted in my house last night?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no records." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I say that I have solved it." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "One of the highest in England." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It so far?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a during which he might have communicated with his friend the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. not as remarkable as your advertisement." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we depend upon your compliance." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "What!" he roared. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we here and I will read it to you: "And how?" joking. evidence," I remarked. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You have a clue?" one's self under obligations.' "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Well." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it compunction about shooting them down." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your had picked up in the wood. I shall communicate with you." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Stoke Moran." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. she to prove their authenticity?" bare slabs of marble. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' affair. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Why? What do you mean?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, signal between you and your father? was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never what is your own theory as to what took place?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Ah, but I was recommended to you." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg works. once more for Briony Lodge. some terrible trap for her." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at constraint." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the coronet in his hand?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Certainly, madam." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the child." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us himself to hunt down. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim London for the present?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and effective." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. points to suicide?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Not in a good cause." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "He said that you could solve anything." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. signal between you and your father? drove away. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Sutherland?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we will he say when he returns?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'I am sure that I do not know.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson