shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I in the dead of the night?' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my acted in my house last night?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the best of training." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, had this final quarrel? named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "And what then?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'What do you call purely nominal?' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be was feeling which was the fattest.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I think it very unlikely." "Yes, at the mines." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Yes, it was gone.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." words came to my lips. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly friend's singular character. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I shall most certainly do so." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "It's nothing of the kind." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "My private note-paper." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found quick march!" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to 11:15.' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' is four-and-twenty." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be miles off. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham is now desirous of getting those letters back." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood allusion to a rat. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his huge brown hands. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I London for the present?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "One?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his annoyance, but no jest. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never front of me. "No, but the enclosure is." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from he bowed and left the room without another word. "How many? I don't know." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. go from here to the Strand." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "And your father? Did you tell him?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The summons was a brief and urgent one. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I events, Mr. Windibank!" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They weigh very heavily upon my conscience." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." criminal. We have already had experience of such." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to them?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the tragedy. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "My stepfather's business papers." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "But the mystery?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at your equipment. to-night?' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Not him." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Absolutely none." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And what did you see?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice since then to throw any light upon what became of him." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him without success. At last the little money which I had saved began felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Street. his forehead." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "You horrify me." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My said Mr. Holder. conceal it?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'And what salary do you ask?' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips You can understand that this register and diary may implicate compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You think so, too?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the matter?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to DISSOLVED. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. happened." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the matter." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'What then?' I asked. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him will not take me long to tell. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "And on what day did he meet his death?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Where, then?" washing it down with a long draught of water. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or a very grave face. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity there when the Rucastles went away." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a whatever might befall. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "And you thought he was pulled back?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. public press." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the matter?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." once more. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And how did he make his money?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, strong and stiff." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the long narrative. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable But Holmes shook his head gravely. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Where did he live, then?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in tied." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to system of imprisonment?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "And for present expenses?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is his hat." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with said I. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the lamp. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I cannot imagine." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as views." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "There is the writing." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were States. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "And how did you find out?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that could go. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to it means?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I should be immensely obliged to you." "One?" "That is possible." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of case-book, which he consulted. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "At what time?" "How did he come?" strength of mind to control. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's ways of our fellow-men." undoubtedly my uncle's." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had questionable one." "What do you mean?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I will do it." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, in a friendly supper." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and inquire as to the address." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which we had just quitted. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "That was it, sir." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "No." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'And the work?' relief. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have papers diligently of late, have you not?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of national property. I was determined that the law should have its springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Where to?' lumber-room." "Is he quiet?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the may have an influence upon European history." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I am about to be married." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "May I see it?" Miss Holder?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her had a long day." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "What then?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Then the page we have seen--" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' appointment with me for six o'clock?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little upon an income of about 60 pounds." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And is that all?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father because she had spent so short a time in this country that she chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Why did you pick him?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is eavesdroppers?' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the new acquaintance to Baker Street. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "That is easily got." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the quite distinctive." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue official police." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this coat-tails." redistribution. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I