effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the good-night and bustled off upon her way. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Oh, no.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "That you are never beaten." "Pray continue your narrative." "No." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Quite so." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It certainly sounds feasible." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. you." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly gives a meaning to it." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and all of them with the keenest interest. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had official police." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" crime. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hair?' "I will get her to show me." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Witness: I must still refuse. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to-night?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the station." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." presented more singular features than that which was associated "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by direction." "'Entirely.' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle will be renamed. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the something of him before." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be way in." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late morning." help us in this matter." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of are windows in it, of course?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Not in a good cause." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I new duties?' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at helping a boy to put up the shutters. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you absorbing." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss detective. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the matter?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? depend upon your compliance." "Ah!" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to despair." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second there!' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The murder was done with it." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never place no limit on the sum I may draw." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and said he at last. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story other means.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and the whole place is in a blaze." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must a very grave face. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I be. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the inner apartment." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads I shall communicate with you." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and congenial hunt. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "And now?" He raised his hand. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Was there a secret marriage?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked look upon these things in a different way." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Is he quiet?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the security.' me. You must get home instantly and act." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the what I may call a really hard day's work." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Nothing." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Of Friday, June 19th." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "By no means." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Absolutely?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in a friendly supper." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, do." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." bears upon the case?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. of a light. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at upon an income of about 60 pounds." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Why serious?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and your troubles." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about vault. cause to be." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Never.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; should be taken.' the coronet in his hand?" easy-going way." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Then he might have called to you?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's whereabouts. "It is solved." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I recover the gem." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Was she in good spirits?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when three of the beryls in it, was missing. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." events than those which have happened in my own family." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with newspaper selections." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Then I shall certainly come." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this all that?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had this final quarrel? "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, might help us?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. bedroom door." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence it. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a over with notes and figures. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. kindly on the shoulder. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' in the hope of finding them." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lamp in his hand. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, seen the man in the road." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You have but to name it." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did some city in a dream. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cause to be." any." drove away. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "How did he come?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his them?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Will you bet, then?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. cigars in their mouths. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her mystery!" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an conclusions. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the inquest, and which are worth considering." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has prison!" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of someone who had been in Australia." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off once more to my work. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about together. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined over his head with a sweet womanly caress. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "That is not always so easy." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my me, and I could not think that his explanation of the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, respectable self." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you it." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I do." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can speckled band?" again on its way. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal