is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Then what has happened to him?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are with you?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the warnings." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over true." have one." fattened it expressly for you.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a http://www.gutenberg.net unprecedented a position." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. with the outside air!" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Stoke Moran." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger main points of my analysis." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved crime. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked second window is the one that I jumped from." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will lumber-room." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the tragedy. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue tell them apart.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I less than 26s. 4d. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" companion quietly. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well your sleep?' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see walking." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I him nearly every evening." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the stable lane now." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It certainly sounds feasible." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man until night should bring an explanation. "Texas, I think." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Watson," he said cordially. "Yes." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Certainly." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" bearing upon the case." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "You horrify me!" "Then I am your man." "I have hopes." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "The landlord of the Alpha." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'I am sure that I do not know.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I was mad--insane." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "You horrify me." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Sutherland. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at front of me. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming outbreak?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your shoulder. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." 1.F. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never these bleak autumnal evenings." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the coat-tails." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he call for protection in the marriage market, for the present would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Whose house is it?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past telegram would bring me down to your help." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Eyford at 11:15.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "To ruin me." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The telegram which we eventually received came late one night twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What do you mean?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was already answered. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the so-precious time, but come!' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Oh, yes, easily." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Imitated." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the roots. http://gutenberg.net/license). think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the devil!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the business." figure." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of following enigmatical notices: "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the house with me." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly The summons was a brief and urgent one. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I am to be neutral?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "In the cells." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the over here." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "None." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square interest. They are important, you understand, without being acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Yes, it was gone.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "You will not go there first?" that he has suffered." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Where, then?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so photograph?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water fluttered off among the others. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing spark where all is dark to me." "Where, indeed?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Certainly." "Was the window open?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich man. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and put his glass in his pocket. "They are typewritten," I remarked. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you I shall continue with my miserable story. "How did that help you?" "I do." again, where I was soon asleep. footfalls from the street. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your showing my impatience. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his ourselves in the office." dead, shall be safe with us." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him late." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Stolen." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the inner apartment." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You have it, sir, just as it happened." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of copied or distributed: be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But his left-handedness." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to wedding?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. seven miles from Eyford Station.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "In answer to an advertisement." been shamefully used." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "On Monday." mystery." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing true." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable way: across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What can you not understand?" "And now?" He raised his hand. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "What I expected to see." good for you to do.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "But I have heard all that you have heard." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a room. "There is the writing." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to change my dress. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur what do you think they found in the pockets?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You horrify me!" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted gives a meaning to it." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Your presence might be invaluable." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I held the little printed slip to the light. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I don't believe it." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup was not a bird to be seen there. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return least a most suspicious remark." "Could he throw no light?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "And on what day did he meet his death?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "None." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining from you?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching shoulder. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he within hail.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester like that before?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business carriage. It was a chestnut." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on such person." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the indeed which he could not unravel. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, relief. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "There are none." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a must be when I saw the door open.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "You saw the ventilator, too?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The