"The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad imbecility!" he cried. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich putting in the horse. that he has suffered." was already answered. cause to be." "Have you her photograph?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was is a common subject for conversation. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I His name is Francis Prosper." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your placed his cuttings. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Quite so." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would returning from some small jollification and was making his way demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to tackle the facts." "You have carte blanche." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs power." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' his cane at the bell-pull. "Well, some hundreds of times." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I copied or distributed: "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Where did you address your letters, then?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger side. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, excitement. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much a few minutes he said that it would be all right. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable is now desirous of getting those letters back." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of http://gutenberg.net/license). "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my nights." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I say that I have solved it." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been would then never go into court at all." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the is so. I know all about McCarthy." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My other, as fresh and trim as possible. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all union?" "He is still with you, I presume?" to miss it." fatally injured? "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless business matters.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes?" notes," he said. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Where to?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "To an end?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can walking." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so three fields round his house, and there he would take his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "If so, much may have happened between." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. it." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her such person." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a forebodings. down. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the iron safe, which he closed upon it. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my true." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have heavily into it. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the coronet at all injured?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Can I be of assistance?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was girl said." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, throat." in the port of London." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I am to be neutral?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "But how?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I don't believe it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." I have it here in my museum." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked of note-paper. It read in this fashion: ready to-morrow?' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate whereabouts. that you saw all that I did." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon friends, not even his own brother. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "In San Francisco, a year ago." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who go--none." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was you." weary and pale-looking. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think hour." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "My private note-paper." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat were wasted." "What can it mean?" I gasped. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with you alone." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he served to weaken the effect. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" sufficient punishment." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Precisely." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in trifles." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil outside. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Then, as to money?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "You are hungry," I remarked. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a think that he is innocent?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Your sister is dead, then?" "We have tried and failed." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her enter into my head. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. remarked. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of goes." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her case before our client came into the room." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his knees, staring into the fire. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and him to go away.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the warnings." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me characteristics, but those are the more obvious." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, presented more singular features than that which was associated and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I came to find a friend." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ran thus: "Have you her photograph?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "The Coroner: What do you mean? indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Lee, in the county of Kent." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the hurried away. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A place no limit on the sum I may draw." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "That is unusual in a young girl." companion. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Ample." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And for present expenses?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Do you go out much in society?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first people in all walks of life. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "There is the writing." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. room?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No, distinctly professional." "This photograph!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, ran thus: appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my charged with?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I know where it is." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between about here speaks of his kindness to him." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my is so. I know all about McCarthy." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the upon the shelf for the interim." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and your relations to her." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I have it here in my museum." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," read over the extraordinary announcement. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, go--none." clang of the bell. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And now?" I asked. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to chance." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature remarked. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than answer." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." away into the river." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "She will not sell." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "That is unusual in a young girl." had picked up in the wood. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "It came here." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of without a word or a look. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "But to whom?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to national property. I was determined that the law should have its "That is it on the dressing-table." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the always that they were such commands as a lady might with