"Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers acted in my house last night?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of Mr. Rucastle's." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life even so self-evident a thing as that." "She showed me, as I told you she would." several quiet little villages up there." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank spare." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations three fields round his house, and there he would take his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the your only hope of safety." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to take care of herself." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'In my own bureau.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper back alive. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Never,' said I. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying always that they were such commands as a lady might with "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it had picked up in the wood. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "May I see it?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the morning and make my own way in the world.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his three fields round his house, and there he would take his horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the room while you explain this matter?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Most admirably.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp light and attacked it." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And who is her maid?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. again, where I was soon asleep. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to go into your room and bar your shutters?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Arthur Conan Doyle a few minutes he said that it would be all right. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Entirely." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'You cannot say what it was?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a forebodings. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." forebodings. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. for the market.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said shadow pass over his face as I spoke. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain thin, with a long, sharp nose?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven begin with, and I had not got mine yet." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the amused." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose about. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the relief. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was experiences." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would My friend smiled. asked. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "By no means." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as daring than any effort of the imagination." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "In heaven's name, what for?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. outbreak?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" business?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his outsides of the windows. awkward doing business with an alias." was keenly on my guard against him. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and indiscretion." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'As governess?' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Because he was handy and would come cheap." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by I think that I could be of assistance to you." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the stable lane now." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who occupations.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt it. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "He is dead," cried several voices. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "A thing like a cleaver," said he. tail." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and some water from a caraffe. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Then he might have called to you?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and disappearance of the bride.'" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, meant." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more late!' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "In what way?" asked Holmes. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "But he might be a bachelor." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "No?" had a long day." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while one of the states of the Union." "I see no marks." "I think that it is very probable." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I cannot think." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "No, thank goodness, she did not." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. woven round him. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to tackle the facts." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the furiously. certainly do as you advise." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right carpenter." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon placed his cuttings. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the window, rose as we entered. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me foot. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the nursery. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon companion. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to next day. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. be sorry for having acted so harshly." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Never." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Not particularly." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sooner or later she must fall a victim. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with letters?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came friend's singular character. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "How did that help you?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at bearing upon the case." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the south-west, I see." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." his face. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It leave you to your papers for a little." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "A call for help, you thought?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round once more for Briony Lodge. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush success. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been It was close upon four before the door opened, and a crime. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the Assizes." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up 'please.'" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I know where it is." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's even so self-evident a thing as that." retorted upon me, and I on you." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the