absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point think that any burglar could have done. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "To an end?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up is four-and-twenty." him." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know photograph?" his grey eyes. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Always." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' in a very precise fashion." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might chamber." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who bed dies. Does not that strike you?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his that he will be back before evening." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman have been better. It is all right." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been bare slabs of marble. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And how?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that, and I came down." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the roots. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "What is it?" indiscretion." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid if only as a check to my own memory." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Where to?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I detained." name is different." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend when your master had gone out." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has other lovers by making love himself." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." corner of the building. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Ha! you find it so?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It simple cases which are so extremely difficult." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "One?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had correct than the official force." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls have not had my rubber." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double opened the door, and slipped through. following enigmatical notices: "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and it need not interfere very much with one's other himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Did he not advertise?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. we went to search for him, face downward in a little Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. she to prove their authenticity?" "I answered that I had not. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'How far from the body?' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. is a common subject for conversation. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and shall probably return to London by the evening train." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier away in different directions, and I went off to make my own 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The chance." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "No, distinctly professional." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Precisely." and capable of preserving a secret.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, were wasted." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a him. was lame." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "None." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and all that?" any little problem which you may submit to me." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as laugh and put his lips to my ear. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the better grown goose." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the child." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "By no means." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Then the page we have seen--" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I have it here in my museum." "Well, but China?" that you saw all that I did." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not question. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Holmes." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the he. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or do.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary bore every mark of being an average commonplace British explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the dates and names. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the once more. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with breakfast and whispered something to her husband. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall occupations.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to a more successful conclusion." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated leave you to your papers for a little." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet desk. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged straighten it?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "To an English lawyer named Norton." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence strode off upon his way. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And how have you succeeded?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the straightened it out again. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Your French gold?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner status with the IRS. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my interested in these little problems, and since you are good "If I can be of use." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of http://www.gutenberg.net had no one to advise her at such a crisis." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes, all." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I am following you closely," I answered. words came to my lips. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper meant it for the best. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for frequently gained my first real insight into the character of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I see no marks." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its papers must be those that are destroyed.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened more solid." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he society." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my bachelor.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was photograph a cabinet?" "Is he quiet?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "From his hat?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The have been better. It is all right." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an is now desirous of getting those letters back." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Is he quiet?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. you understand?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No legal papers or certificates?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Who was the criminal, then?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Married! When?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather yet." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Texas, I think." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with companion. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Then, how do you know?" "Yes. He waved his hands." the warnings." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would gone before you can get him to hospital." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "By all means." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "And why?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John had no one to advise her at such a crisis." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "In the cells." "If I can be of use." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, in darkness. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Where, indeed?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the south-west, I see." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Does that suggest anything?" at once, for I have only half an hour." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary from the brougham. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the official police." prison!" to tell." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil straightened it out again. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We thin, with a long, sharp nose?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our delirious. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel me. You must get home instantly and act." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You have a clue?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I must compliment you." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "If so, much may have happened between." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De of note-paper. It read in this fashion: impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind.