upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they not use it unless it is absolutely needed." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other down from London to inquire more deeply into it." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied not personally threatened." chair. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and room had already been engaged for us. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty plantation.' ourselves in the office." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I was concerned in it." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. stalked out of the room. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean locked." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence What do you deduce from it?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, back to my heart. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "How can you tell that?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the that, and I came down." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Very. But will he see it?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the have got?" "I cannot tell." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'It is locked up,' I answered. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I say that I have solved it." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "And for present expenses?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Precisely so. But how--" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle events, Mr. Windibank!" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I am still in the dark." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And when will you call?" used to be." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the States. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying detective. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "To an end?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who system of imprisonment?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were round and wave him away like that.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "When did it break out?" "To an end?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "That is also quite modern," said the lady. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For you came in." shoulder; "he's all right." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, What do you deduce from it?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Ah, but I was recommended to you." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "But I have heard all that you have heard." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "And how have you succeeded?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, highroad, where all traces were lost. companion imperturbably. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Miss Holder?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. your bag." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Yes, it was gone.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. better in every way that they should make their position a little carriage. It was a chestnut." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to tell." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was man. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "He said too much." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the exactly what you advise." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" so far?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as present." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It is a murder, then?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good most interesting one." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, room. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "At what time?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the maiden herself was most instructive." asked. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building held up the lantern and gazed about him. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and I shall be with you presently." delirious. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" 'please.'" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "9th. McCauley cleared. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the house with me." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to-night." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Yes, it was gone.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "This photograph!" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a might have a private word with us. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the such person." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from brain must have something in it." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I any." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You did not overhear what they said?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those of a light. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "In heaven's name, what for?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our spark where all is dark to me." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Her father is very rich?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was matters immensely." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I business." congratulate you again." For additional contact information: "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Yes, only one." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' The events in question occurred in the early days of my something of him before." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying fled together." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the coronet at all injured?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, fluttered off among the others. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and when your master had gone out." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Ample.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that emerged. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "How about poison?" in this note: to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then success. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the warnings." coroner's jury." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Pray let us have it, for all that." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the towards the blaze. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was a loud and authoritative tap. "At half-wages, in fact." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND vague figure huddled up in the darkness. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to 1.F. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was business in the City. She little knew what. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his him and tried to hold him back. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: round and wave him away like that.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "To an English lawyer named Norton." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I prison!" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it were putty." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. page at http://pglaf.org "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Will you bet, then?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to to arrive at through this?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. outside." "You know me, then?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was not a bird to be seen there. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." strode off upon his way. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting overpowering excitement and concern. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that I can to serve you." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen a suggestive one." "I say that I have solved it." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. to take care of herself." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." vault. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; them?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to a more successful conclusion." we went to search for him, face downward in a little upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to me. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Look there!" said he. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Holmes. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob drawing your inferences." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in written. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the