the morning and make my own way in the world.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "What?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. beg that you will break it off." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But to whom?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It is possible." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have place, I think that there is good ground to think that the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had way in." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the would then never go into court at all." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth gone. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and second." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the where she found matters as described by the last witness. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. whereabouts. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I am about to be married." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to me. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able weigh very heavily upon my conscience." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes rather sternly. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "What have you to say now?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. woman." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. burst out into a roar of laughter. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand unprofitable." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'What, the red-headed man?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and effective." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "That you are never beaten." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Then he might have called to you?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Yes, it was twisted." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and clang of the bell. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes said he. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from peculiar to him. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" sparkled upon his finger. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" certainly do as you advise." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into trifles." 'please.'" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Never,' said I. you in yours." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to ways of our fellow-men." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying seen the man in the road." chill to my heart. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and never to learn it at all." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the should be taken.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I have seen the police." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door opened a pocket-book and took out a note. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's direction." hereditary King of Bohemia." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend look upon these things in a different way." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was yards of it?' to tackle the facts." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Quite so." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I think that it is very probable." crime." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, even so self-evident a thing as that." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you washing it down with a long draught of water. chance at all." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so 'please.'" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would again, where I was soon asleep. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, front of me. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you questionable one." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. highly," said Holmes. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire posted to-day." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes, the wine-cellar." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and congratulate you again." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these this unhappy family?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to surprise her." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were returning from some small jollification and was making his way belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to there was no need for father to know." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who pictures, libraries, or plate. you do it in twenty minutes!' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO off." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And the cigar-holder?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Stoke Moran." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "One of his hands." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his British peeress.'" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, 1.E.9. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand or other trace. But how on earth--" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and about. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ tell them apart.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I beg pardon." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Well?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "How often?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'And what salary do you ask?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Get out!" said he. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or there were so many in the whole country as were brought together however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire front of the hall door has given its name to the place. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Thank you. And your address?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked have been better. It is all right." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." your troubles." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more such person." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his cane at the bell-pull. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with chamber." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'And the work?' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which criminal. We have already had experience of such." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and all of them with the keenest interest. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Quite so. She has her freedom." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in IS from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets British peeress.'" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the cigars in the box." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom sufficient punishment." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Not yet." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "The rest you will leave in our hands." married her." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I was afraid that you were engaged." "And how did you find out?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "No more words. Get out!" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "One?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His be. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no hurried away. "Yes, it would be as well." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the http://gutenberg.net/license). "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." second." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through just ask you whether you had heard it.' passage and a tap at the door. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Your French gold?" lamp in his hand. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel golden eyeglasses. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "That is also quite modern," said the lady. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "How about poison?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Do you go out much in society?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior desk. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Yes, sir." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No tension within him. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I saw her in conversation with her maid." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me get her out of the way." head. So long, then!" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Then you may entirely rely on me." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'I am sure that I do not know.' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather,