attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. chance at all." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the coronet in his hands?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without this poor creature." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. fasten all the windows?" best detective that ever lived. allusion to a rat. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes, it was twisted." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and instituted." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a affair. dead, shall be safe with us." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, such attractions and accomplishments?' "Perfectly so." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Upon what point?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to arrive at through this?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And for present expenses?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Did you become engaged then?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Texas, I think." investigation." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my felt?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon tension within him. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my not, dad?" she asked. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very for the market.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "She told me to ask you." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "And why in hopes?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in his power. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action is acting for the best. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where house for five minutes.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this what I may call a really hard day's work." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, mystery may be cleared along those lines." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought to some other building. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I cannot as yet see any connection." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "But how did you gain them?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her cigar and let me expound." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was not a bird to be seen there. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news cigars in their mouths. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And did you observe any change in her then?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my upon the sideboard." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "On the contrary, this is the right side." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this depend upon your compliance." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to tackle the facts." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out name is different." "How on earth--" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And sit in the dark?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing a good hundred miles off by now." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "She will not sell." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Holmes." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and laid it on the table. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And for present expenses?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little thin legs towards the fire. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Why did you beat the pavement?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "No, I had a dozen." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was already answered. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking hair?' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "On the contrary, this is the right side." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly stepfather?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had events than those which have happened in my own family." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." lost his Christmas dinner." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in introspective fashion. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, had died away into the silence from which it rose. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any father's place of business?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "When did it break out?" problems help me to do so." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "But she will refuse." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would she to prove their authenticity?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'What do you call purely nominal?' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the stable lane now." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. crackling voice. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, morning." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" yards of it?' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "How are you getting on?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work with you?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" said he. quickly through a disagreeable task. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "The knees of his trousers." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "That sounds a little paradoxical." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual events, Mr. Windibank!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and put his glass in his pocket. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from For additional contact information: little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and someone who had been in Australia." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A one's self under obligations.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily whatever might befall. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on experiences." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have established a very serious case against the son of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "And why in hopes?" this remarkable episode. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that back alive. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up ordinary clothes on?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "My private note-paper." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It is a murder, then?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "At the wedding breakfast." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to power." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of into the room. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "And help." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more man. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would which was all perfectly true. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "When did it break out?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent all that?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." weighed down with some great anxiety. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to presume?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and had picked up in the wood. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Witness: I must still refuse. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance cost them two and thirty pounds." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose The telegram which we eventually received came late one night 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived dead, shall be safe with us." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Entirely." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did of receipt of the work. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "He said that you could solve anything." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. conceal it?" villagers almost as much as their master. at my own good fortune. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the bell. Holmes whistled. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the cigar and let me expound." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when fashion which was peculiar to him. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "May I see it?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working speckled band?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "You have carte blanche." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name with some details as to your case." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I know where it is." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe suspect him." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I companion. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Tired-looking or fresh?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Yes, sir." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, fresh and glossy." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." works. See paragraph 1.E below. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much know all about it," he snarled. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms completely overtopped every other consideration that we both glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just man. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." him." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes." "My dear Holmes!" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son coroner's jury." "How on earth--" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'I am sure that I do not know.' legal crime." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "My photograph." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "No bad?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." least a most suspicious remark." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen open." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Never.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I was concerned in it." "Stolen, then." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, felt?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In