little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a an introduction to him?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Which dealer's?' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of his shoulders. legal crime." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further learned something! Where are the gems?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to some other building. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late lamp. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across these bleak autumnal evenings." "My photograph." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Not I." "But what is it you wish?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the roots. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sholtos." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have which it had come upon my father." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. me where it went to?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "My stepfather's business papers." "So it appears." disturbance in my wife." "You have the photograph?" I have it here in my museum." and glanced through. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And why?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for off." security.' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would death." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. ready to-morrow?' keep the flames under. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "And from a noble client?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I beg pardon." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I assure you that I am in your hands." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "The murder was done with it." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I am sure." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my cigars in their mouths. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. congratulate you again." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm business came to an end." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes. He waved his hands." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very bird I ate is country bred." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Pray let us have it, for all that." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Sholtos." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who comes from the middle window." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be examination of the premises, but without finding anything which man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wanted for ourselves." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew maiden herself was most instructive." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. evidence," I remarked. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad invisible to me," I remarked. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for you found me to-night--and running through the front room she at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and the church but not where the lady lived." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "One of his hands." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal could not account in any way for the presence of the missing more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an are windows in it, of course?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully woven round him. The King stared at him in amazement. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my seven miles from Eyford Station.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but about. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and said he. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "But you can know nothing of this?" companion. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether mystery." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "How did you deduce the select?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "On the contrary, this is the right side." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears said he at last. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I answered that I had not. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a weighed down with some great anxiety. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary affection." out." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I have my revolver," said I. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my companion imperturbably. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the salesman. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to-night?' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Proceed, then." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I cannot tell." said he. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Of Friday, June 19th." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "What! a murderous attack?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so out of this horrible affair." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ashen face. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that is four-and-twenty." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most corner of the building. to tell." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It is solved." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is half-past ten now." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind purpose of examination. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in must be when I saw the door open.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the address that was given us in the advertisement. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. again, where I was soon asleep. "'Certainly not. But why?' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I know where it is." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, your only hope of safety." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of him. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client shall use the carriage to-night." problems help me to do so." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And why in hopes?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, had a long day." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America whatever might befall. "A call for help, you thought?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, I had a dozen." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, already referred to. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to change my dress. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It came here." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to will take you up to see the machine.' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see this as likely?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous hour?' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I beg pardon." "I have come for advice." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" side. go--none." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of colour had been driven from his face. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events certainly do as you advise." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And why?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his wife has ceased to love him." friend's singular character. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 1.F. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an upon a handsome competence. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you certainly do as you advise." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Will you go?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the astonishment. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. attention." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Then I shall certainly come." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it examine." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which signal between you and your father? Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for