It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "If I can be of use." call it cruel." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." hour?' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for minor matters until to-morrow." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was he. that himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and the church but not where the lady lived." and a shock of very red hair. business." "'Ten to two.' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to talk it over. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It was an hour's good drive." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Where is it, then?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a good hundred miles off by now." help us in this matter." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took The King stared at him in amazement. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "No, but the enclosure is." "Stolen, then." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you strength in the others." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling strength of mind to control. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Was there a secret marriage?" burst out into a roar of laughter. was feeling which was the fattest.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no him and tried to hold him back. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest always that they were such commands as a lady might with The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret sooner or later she must fall a victim. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with carriage. It was a chestnut." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Breckinridge is his name." McCarthy." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you me have 200 pounds?' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the he. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You have compromised yourself seriously." more terrible than the truth. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, appeared upon the scene." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "The knees of his trousers." affair. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "She will not sell." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "What shall I do?" in the hope of finding them." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had my former friend and companion. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this province." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'Very good.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I get the tickets." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to miss it." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Did he not advertise?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the existence." "My photograph." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." crime. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a his grey eyes. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "What office?" redistribution. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can been." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "So I have heard." eat it." yourselves in at night?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Was she in good spirits?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." learned something! Where are the gems?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "And did you observe any change in her then?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the not as remarkable as your advertisement." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the at once, for I have only half an hour." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or lids now and glanced across at his visitor. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through lectures into a series of tales." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off would then never go into court at all." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. bare slabs of marble. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged read it out to me." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and inquire as to the address." in a very precise fashion." "'I have already given you my word.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And I." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to hands. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I enter into my head. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found shoulder. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "That was it, sir." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I hands. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the clanging. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he feature." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the as yours." chill to my heart. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in during that time.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That also I could fathom." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss into the bag, and made for the door. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the green of the new foliage. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Of what day?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the south-west, I see." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort your sleep?' hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they trifles." look dissatisfied." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Breckinridge is his name." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I cannot imagine." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and ventilator." sneer upon his pale face. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable held up the lantern and gazed about him. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." round and wave him away like that.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more row." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he look upon these things in a different way." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, good-night and bustled off upon her way. shall use the carriage to-night." "It is his hat." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Most admirably.' so.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I dates and names. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "A call for help, you thought?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a interested in these little problems, and since you are good placed his cuttings. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "In answer to an advertisement." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Holmes rather sternly. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "VIOLET HUNTER." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fear." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I have not had my rubber." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he into the bag, and made for the door. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a least a fellow-countryman. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated a room. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I cannot think." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the matter." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that he will be back before evening." and inquire as to the address." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open appointment with me for six o'clock?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "He said that you could solve anything." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Why that?' I asks. "I would pay ten." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was not a bird to be seen there. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her have accepted such a situation. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet kindly on the shoulder. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness there is a decided draught." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the tragedy. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "By train from Waterloo." "You did not overhear what they said?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all hour?' "Was there a secret marriage?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, his knees, staring into the fire. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when yourselves in at night?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too through."