with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "What!" he roared. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double call for protection in the marriage market, for the present it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away ready to-morrow?' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate silent! Oh, he will be silent!' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Yes." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we presume?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which during that time.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You have a clue?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Lestrade of Scotland Yard." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "It is his hat." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an highroad, where all traces were lost. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "And now?" I asked. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I desk. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. residence of the great financier. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. arrested. You then--" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to have that photograph." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a nice household for a young lady." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "He might." enter into my head. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Her father is very rich?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, you?' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then just ask you whether you had heard it.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but This is what he says: from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor ways including including checks, online payments and credit card following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the Red-headed League." "The best possible." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and beyond words. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "We have tried and failed." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. maid will bring up your coffee." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the breakfast." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this true." "What I expected to see." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the whatever might befall. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous bed dies. Does not that strike you?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no him, that man would not have given me such complete information stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that outside." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for words came to my lips. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Yes." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten away to you." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you give your casting vote to?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his south, for the country is more deserted there." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward my former friend and companion. forehead. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. trifles." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" front of me. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to affect your life." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a said Mr. Holder. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Where to?' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more was a perfect sample of the class. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case said Mr. Holder. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may detective. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I see no marks." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for once more for Briony Lodge. "Yes." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we awaited us upon the table. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should lectures into a series of tales." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Holmes rather sternly. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "If I can be of use." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small delirious. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "But you have hopes?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to change my dress. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had young Openshaw's." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Was there a secret marriage?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and questionable one." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said light and attacked it." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall seven miles from Eyford Station.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." it." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when make me his representative both with the servants and with the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and examine." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself as he folded up the epistle. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "This photograph!" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "What!" he roared. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more society." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my our word." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I was afraid that you were engaged." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the 11:15.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus against a man in the prime of life?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Well?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Cross for the Continent." in his hands." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back sake, don't!" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I nodded to show that I had heard. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a I am not easy in my mind about them." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming way in." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying cigar and let me expound." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Certainly." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Pool. of your young ladies.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. who was a member of your goose club." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Come in!" said he. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining papers." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. fled together." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as feature." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Why? What do you mean?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with been deceived." girl said." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope stepfather?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general invisible to me," I remarked. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing becomes even more simple." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face stood on the top of it. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then walking." his grey eyes. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each generous with you in money matters.' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Is purely nominal.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Bought." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I was mad--insane." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours call you and give you the chance." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this