work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William death." official police." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the never to learn it at all." "So I have heard." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang desk. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Eyford." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than your equipment. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Where to?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be himself to tell his story. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "What will you do, then?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been appointment with me for six o'clock?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over everything which you would wish to know." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Only as much as we can deduce." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' take the flies, but not before." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I back to my heart. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And how have you succeeded?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to assist you in forming an opinion." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'Yes, it was gone.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in darkness. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of it with the greatest attention. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its there were so many in the whole country as were brought together behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I bears upon the case?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "How can you tell that?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed gone. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Yes, from Horsham." "You horrify me." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor do.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'What then?' I asked. "Come in!" said he. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is true that I have been generally successful." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Certainly, madam." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" leave you to your papers for a little." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the II. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no charged with?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see whether it answered to the description of any of their unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, burst out into a roar of laughter. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have meant it for the best. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my has little to do with my story." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the beg that you will break it off." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But not more so than I to find you." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, only one." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into nonsense.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be one of the states of the Union." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "You have compromised yourself seriously." kind enough to tell me what I should do." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "You horrify me!" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the address that was given us in the advertisement. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I DAMAGE. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Was your sister dressed?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "Nothing." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "How did you deduce the select?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy breakfast." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I young Openshaw's." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off retorted upon me, and I on you." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the so-precious time, but come!' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning distinguish the words: that you wished to speak to me?' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to we went to search for him, face downward in a little nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the during that time.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And it is--" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to up this clue while it is still hot." with you?" "Not I." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." said he. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and I was concerned in it." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. question. "In San Francisco, a year ago." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the house with me." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen From what you have told me I think that it is possible that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall read it out to me." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But you have hopes?" Miss Holder?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such daring than any effort of the imagination." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father lips." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would During two years I have had three consultations and one small following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. guilty parties." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular mystery." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where to surprise her." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Very well, sir. And this stone?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, McCarthy." think you a quite exceptional woman." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged call the police, let the police find what they can.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Then I do not see the point." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." works. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources over part of the map. "What do you read?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Pool. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into families. Now for the facts. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Mrs. Toller serenely. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You have carte blanche." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long undoubtedly my uncle's." "What is it?" papers on the sundial.'" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." fasten all the windows?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and looking up at the numbers of the houses." deduce something from that?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary maiden herself was most instructive." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'And what salary do you ask?' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It was." "No." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You know me, then?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose foot. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Game for a morning drive?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "He is still with you, I presume?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sake, don't!" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I cannot think." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises had a long day." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements hard-headed British jury." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, him nearly every evening." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case about here speaks of his kindness to him." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some always that they were such commands as a lady might with here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wanted for ourselves." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can helping a boy to put up the shutters. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was as the one I chose?' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "He said that you could solve anything." in this note: With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But you have hopes?" "Why, what do you mean?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my information in his hands the value of which he did not himself cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. deduce something from that?" would apply.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No, I had a dozen." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the dangers which encompass me." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It