"A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which events than those which have happened in my own family." me have 200 pounds?' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not are, I think, all that we need." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more out." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their 11:15.' you?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Absolutely none." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated as the one I chose?' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his my room." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your once more. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house written. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened said he at last. light and attacked it." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known approach us with offers to donate. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when together. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the general public were present, then?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own money should be paid at once.' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, was a loud and authoritative tap. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the coroner come to?" hardly wander." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the date of his supposed suicide." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "No good news?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend was the fact that his father should, according to his account, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little have accepted such a situation. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons father's young wife. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "9th. McCauley cleared. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "That was it, sir." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Yes, all." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been when your master had gone out." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a criminal. We have already had experience of such." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I was sure that I might rely on you." his fortune, and I went back to pa. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. crime." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is carried out of court." "Nearly eleven." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. has little to do with my story." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "So I have heard." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what main points of my analysis." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But not more so than I to find you." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you will he say when he returns?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man keep the flames under. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and have this put in the evening papers." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Tell me all about it,' said I. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in a very precise fashion." is so. I know all about McCarthy." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. a room. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR secret." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off official police." "Pray do so." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the was lame." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her plantation.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "You are hungry," I remarked. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' get the tickets." "To the police?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Yes." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "We must have a cab." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with thought that she would have been so carried away." "Certainly." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they had a long day." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fishes. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought are, I think, all that we need." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, been shamefully used." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have not had my rubber." "By no means." even of instruction." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Get out!" said he. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. when you have done it." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. must compliment you." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." you want, then?' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely that you can jump it.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a occupations.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across criminal. We have already had experience of such." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Henry Baker is a member." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of Mr. Rucastle's." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "One of his hands." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or For additional contact information: determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that?' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was answer." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he business at Coburg Square is serious." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Leadenhall Street--and--" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah o'clock is it?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "VIOLET HUNTER." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Very. But will he see it?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to-night." and your relations to her." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and the whole place is in a blaze." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in this way: call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to existence." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'I have already given you my word.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without be sorry for having acted so harshly." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand heavy and sharp instrument." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Yes, sir." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to a more successful conclusion." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I leave." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Not yet." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But we can't all be." six. Come in!" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Sholtos." golden eyeglasses. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a cost them two and thirty pounds." morning." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in danger is over." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project leave you to your papers for a little." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous his fortune, and I went back to pa. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Pool. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. security.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." manager. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I say it is." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in evidence," I remarked. Edgeware Road. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line south, for the country is more deserted there." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction indiscretion." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect business in the City. She little knew what. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and This is what he says: have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" nothing with him." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further have one." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The see me here to avoid scandal." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Why that?' I asks. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "But what harm can there be in that?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should matter over." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Very. But will he see it?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and wait." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Never." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two said I. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and,