Sutherland. all-comprehensive glances. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Then I do not see the point." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "And sit in the dark?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Breckinridge is his name." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. have had none more fantastic than this." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. promised to bring home. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon the white wrist. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his peculiar to him. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Yes, I promise.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She you?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, been." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." do you make of it all?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' people don't know." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house congratulate you again." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." were new raised from a basin. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, detective. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but upon a handsome competence. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Absolutely none." "But she will refuse." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'What are you doing there?' he asked. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You think so, too?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a down. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" showing my impatience. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat this as likely?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the are windows in it, of course?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul death." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of the vacancies.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." public press." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Here?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "But you can know nothing of this?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "The doctor?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been this poor creature." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "ARAT," I read. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. chambers. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated skylight. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Never to return." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opportunities to fix the problem. appeared upon the scene." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of charge against him will break down." could go. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than is so. I know all about McCarthy." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied your sleep?' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." will take you up to see the machine.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would what do you think they found in the pockets?" second window is the one that I jumped from." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have other lovers by making love himself." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your take the flies, but not before." "But we can't all be." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "What then?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I have come for advice." the King without delay." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "And for present expenses?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his wedding?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that thought that she would have been so carried away." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at coat-tails." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" once more to my work. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me you understand?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I outsides of the windows. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all imbecility!" he cried. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his roused himself from his reverie. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the not within a twentieth part of the market price." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let examine." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was people don't know." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to thin legs towards the fire. back into the street. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with me upon any point which I do not make clear." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to ways of our fellow-men." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you him nearly every evening." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able held up the lantern and gazed about him. house for five minutes.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary easy-going way." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do goes." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to time." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he outside." His name is Francis Prosper." I am not easy in my mind about them." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; there were one or two details which were new to me. But the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But what is it you wish?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "The vanishing of the lady." "I think that it is very probable." occurred." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and in this way: The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his away in different directions, and I went off to make my own anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project lost nothing by them." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Holmes rather sternly. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "She showed me, as I told you she would." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Quite so. She has her freedom." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he strode off upon his way. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And sit in the dark?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Yes." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told it." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that down in his armchair and closing his eyes. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without My friend smiled. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the bed, and you in that chair." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove vague figure huddled up in the darkness. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "At the wedding breakfast." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates begin with, and I had not got mine yet." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry one which it was hard to resist. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! grasp, he hurried from the room. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something arrested. You then--" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly that I may have something better before very many minutes are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and glanced through. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My chamber." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "My dear Holmes!" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear wall." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Proceed, then." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "What can it mean?" I gasped. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house everything which you would wish to know." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm individual and becomes the badge of a society." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate place, I think that there is good ground to think that the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would strode off upon his way. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the hereditary King of Bohemia." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Not I." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not comes from the middle window." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in this note: "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King