inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event mysterious end." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones pound a week." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us attention." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in she used." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind room?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall everything which you would wish to know." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "None." papers on the sundial.'" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. than was visible to me." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on which was all perfectly true. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or go--none." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens attention." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Dr. Becher's." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Dark enough and sinister enough." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the case before our client came into the room." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you mysterious end." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if along the entire front of the house, with three long windows stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in time." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My highroad, where all traces were lost. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the inner apartment." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point My friend smiled. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "It came here." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the will not take me long to tell. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Then I can wait in the next room." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to me. The King stared at him in amazement. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Holmes." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the away into the river." "What can you not understand?" indeed which he could not unravel. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the towards the blaze. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, empty. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "His face fell immediately. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "And the cigar-holder?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And help." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "My dear Holmes!" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "This photograph!" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated see a sister of mine apply for." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'What, the red-headed man?' "My stepfather's business papers." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I have it here in my museum." "I think it very unlikely." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom could gather together that I was able to avert another public you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, foresight and the moral retrogression?" be best to do. DISSOLVED. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his bedroom door." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if singular points about the case. What did the police think of the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange said he at last. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And I to find an enemy." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Precisely." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "But how will you look?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Not social, then?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar is worth.' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "And help." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "No sign of it?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. other lovers by making love himself." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your cost them two and thirty pounds." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a or other trace. But how on earth--" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And how in the world did you find them?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in during that time.' daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence companion quietly. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "You have but to name it." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." occurred." Holmes rather sternly. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. father's place of business?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to manager. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Street. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the date of his supposed suicide." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Her father is very rich?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his easy-going way." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "On the contrary, this is the right side." Holmes. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair minor matters until to-morrow." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle American. Then who could this American be, and why should he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Entirely." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Will you go?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with strength." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Yes, sir.' "It surprised me." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "If so, much may have happened between." would then never go into court at all." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached discontent upon his features. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that stalked out of the room. "No, distinctly professional." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." main points of my analysis." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I cannot imagine." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I cannot imagine." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of it with the greatest attention. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have knowledge of the world." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that you can jump it.' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this pierced for earrings?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And which I could not give. He asked for Alice. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Holmes' thin, eager face. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or or in danger--" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. public press." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who bonnet, and went out." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It is a murder, then?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of copied or distributed: a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed have not had my rubber." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of papers." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. This is what he says: landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "That is possible." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I am in hopes that she does." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "How can you tell that?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and laid it on the table. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I should wish to." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the what I may call a really hard day's work." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I have my revolver," said I. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You have compromised yourself seriously." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I cannot say that I have." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And help." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The third from London." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Yes." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the Red-headed League." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was name is different." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I will do it." "Yes, it would be as well." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with