cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ventilator." from you?" cigars in their mouths. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It must be recovered." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, morning." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I don't believe it." girl said." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and inquire as to the address." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to to arrive at through this?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an skylight. salesman. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I say that I have solved it." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or drove away. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering is a common subject for conversation. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "My private note-paper." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like His smile broadened. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Yes." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the have been better. It is all right." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and what I may call a really hard day's work." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Was your sister dressed?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "That is easily got." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in was not a bird to be seen there. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I cannot say that I have." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, these bleak autumnal evenings." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "No." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. indeed which he could not unravel. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of campaign. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Who by?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "The gentleman I describe." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by have one." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became notes," he said. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of footfalls from the street. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security will find little credit to be gained out of this case." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I have solved it." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly think that he is innocent?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I held the little printed slip to the light. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making empty. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the people in all walks of life. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes, only one." Holmes. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he room. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace but preventing her from injuring another. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; wanted for ourselves." man. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as have I gained?" "Yes." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I shall communicate with you." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "So it appears." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "At half-wages, in fact." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in man. I know him from the photograph." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though stepfather?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post narrative." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have established a very serious case against the son of the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "He said that you could solve anything." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that hard-headed British jury." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Which are?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "That also I could fathom." man. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "None." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in the hope of finding them." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Chief Executive and Director conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." jewels which you have stolen?' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Was the window open?" "I am in hopes that she does." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads know all about it," he snarled. "And you don't know his address?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bore every mark of being an average commonplace British staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. absorbing." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Yes, at the mines." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she pity, because in other respects you would really have done very twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her delirious. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I would pay ten." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Not him." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "At half-wages, in fact." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hands. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Where, indeed?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Look there!" said he. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "We were both in the photograph." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then, how do you know?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. despair." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk be. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the orange pips. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a at a side door. "I should like to see him very much." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady such person." fluttered off among the others. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It is a murder, then?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. opened the door, and slipped through. held up the lantern and gazed about him. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them even of instruction." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I see me here to avoid scandal." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen back to my heart. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes?" "ARAT," I read. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting will not take me long to tell. signal between you and your father? Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "What steps will you take?" I asked. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used desk. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Holmes." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll absolutely follow my advice in every respect." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense some water from a caraffe. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and capable of preserving a secret.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." straighten it?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was any more." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "One of his hands." DAMAGE. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home page at http://pglaf.org and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Stoke Moran?" said he. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, in. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to talk it over. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this