also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I fear not." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, gone before you can get him to hospital." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same stammered. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Only as much as we can deduce." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes." "It came here." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one in one or two places in England?' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make cheerful." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "That is not always so easy." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much morning." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." make me his representative both with the servants and with the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But you can know nothing of this?" the roots. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." which are rolled in Rotterdam." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house But Holmes shook his head gravely. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. that I am arrested." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of visitors." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. my special province." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Who was the criminal, then?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I said Mr. Holder. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Where, indeed?" "Why, what do you mean?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what foresight and the moral retrogression?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His bedroom door." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his his cane at the bell-pull. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? existence." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'And the work?' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Then, as to money?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. foresight and the moral retrogression?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "The Cedars?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. overpowering excitement and concern. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. arrangements." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I will, Miss Turner." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now criminal. We have already had experience of such." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Of what day?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But it has twice been burgled." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By was keenly on my guard against him. The events in question occurred in the early days of my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "We must have a cab." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the inner apartment." allusion to a rat. the south-west, I see." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody once more for Briony Lodge. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of." "None." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry chamber." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in society." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'As governess?' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I say that I have solved it." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing problems help me to do so." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, meant." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. his eyes and forehead. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we crime. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fattened it expressly for you.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." trying to your nerves." round with crates and massive boxes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Look there!" said he. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You have compromised yourself seriously." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no such attractions and accomplishments?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. this Miss Turner." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his other means.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and murdered man." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" drawing your inferences." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged leaning back in his chair. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And what did you see?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell such attractions and accomplishments?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose allusion to a rat. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "To the police?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said if only as a check to my own memory." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there it." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the hurried by. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hopeless attempt at recovering them." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might shag which I had seen upon the previous night. bears upon the case?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with later, upon the night of May 2nd." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. forebodings. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Come in!" said Holmes. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "What! You do not mean bodies?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Come in!" said Holmes. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes, it was twisted." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the morning and make my own way in the world.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even have been better. It is all right." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "To the police?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal woman who has had her own way to make in the world. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What shall I do?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Well, some hundreds of times." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "The best possible." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "It was." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Heh?' knowledge of the world." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his fortune, and I went back to pa. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Where did he live, then?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to have established a very serious case against the son of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls drawing your inferences." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "What!" he roared. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather ordinary clothes on?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" your own bird, so if you wish--" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." anything to do with the matter?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the was a perfect sample of the class. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It looks newer than the other things?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony 'please.'" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "When did she vanish, then?" promised to bring home. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You horrify me!" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then way in." and the colonel ushered me in. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the photograph a cabinet?" intrusion of other matters." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have evidence," I remarked. "I answered that I had not. himself to hunt down. "My last client of the sort was a king." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." place no limit on the sum I may draw." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the showing my impatience. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think few hundred pounds.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hour?' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet strong and stiff." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all this truth that in these little records of our cases which you friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I am about to be married." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Where is it, then?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is