together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in this way: "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the official police." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It was." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or go--none." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely touch that coronet?' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any allusion to a rat. the room while you explain this matter?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Imitated." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do papers on the sundial.'" the King without delay." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Yes?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at introspective fashion. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I will do it." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the night.' said he. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property it. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was think that any burglar could have done. gone. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Where did he live, then?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' pierced for earrings?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'And the work?' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it? Did I buy the geese off you?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative house for five minutes.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the best of training." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I will try. What is it?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, populous neighbourhood." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw putting in the horse. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and wait." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed overpowering excitement and concern. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us conversation I have gathered that they have been married about In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain affection." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Did he not advertise?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "But how?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but desk. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fire. You quite follow me?" For additional contact information: see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Stolen." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the into the room. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. have not had my rubber." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Where to?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of here and I will read it to you: "It was an hour's good drive." again." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." said he at last. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Frequently." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And on what day did he meet his death?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'I have already given you my word.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I don't believe it." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his in one or two places in England?' "His face fell immediately. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Very truly yours, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all extraordinary contortions. arrangements." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter had a long day." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." problems help me to do so." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little before the coroner and the police-court." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, goes." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Certainly." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked not fit the lock." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, best detective that ever lived. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' entirely devoid of interest." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through individual and becomes the badge of a society." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all foot. foot. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "And on what day did he meet his death?" you?' "When did it break out?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were daring than any effort of the imagination." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a congratulate you again." some city in a dream. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Serpentine Avenue. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "What, then, did Peterson do?" "And who is her maid?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our place of silver." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me as he remarks, very much against the son." hurried away. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while discontent upon his features. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fishes. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Did he not advertise?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" her also." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "When did it break out?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could appeared upon the scene." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Holmes rather sternly. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Which dealer's?' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Whose house is it?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "She walked into the breakfast-room." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I cannot think." one which it was hard to resist. cigar and let me expound." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. very morning of my second wedding." weapon." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It is solved." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No matter over." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Just look it up, then." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you so far?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "A client, then?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Chief Executive and Director the house with me." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded sound at heart." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an that he has suffered." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and awaited us upon the table. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to careless servant girl?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Edgeware Road. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, nice household for a young lady." him!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew certainly do as you advise." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his cane at the bell-pull. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were interests were the same as his." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. to a light-house. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is good for you to do.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's but preventing her from injuring another. "Proceed, then." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You did not overhear what they said?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune wanted for ourselves." "But the mystery?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Certainly." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "What, then, did Peterson do?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather towards the blaze. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should paper in the air. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had silent! Oh, he will be silent!' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Henry Baker is a member." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Stoke Moran." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two tightly behind him. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the stones. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to he died? gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, lumber-room." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "It came here." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and inquire as to the address." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the results." "My opinion is in no way altered." strength in the others." keep the flames under. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an what do you think they found in the pockets?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Murdered?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were upon a handsome competence. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and