chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging you understand?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is This is what he says: as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and my former friend and companion. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Gutenberg-tm License. name is different." tied." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy events than those which have happened in my own family." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "How did you deduce the select?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Mrs. Toller serenely. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he License. You must require such a user to return or his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not late!' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He was not a bird to be seen there. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I strode off upon his way. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "You will not go there first?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Seven!" I answered. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." breakfast?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." once more to my work. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank acquaintance?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I open." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are locked." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such vanished into the darkness. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Very. But will he see it?" "And help." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men coat-tails." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "It's nothing of the kind." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous I shall continue with my miserable story. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "None." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 my little problems." do." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I beg pardon." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out front of the hall door has given its name to the place. here." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in highroad, where all traces were lost. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "How many? I don't know." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of strength." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "How did you deduce the select?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yesterday." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Then you may entirely rely on me." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One man. that I can to serve you." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, must be when I saw the door open.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the writer." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very letters?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Very truly yours, "But of what society?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I never have." "Pray do so." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity introspective fashion. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion photograph a cabinet?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I shall most certainly do so." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. October 9, 1890. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Yesterday." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the Red-headed League." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To upon a handsome competence. any more." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant my friend's incisive reasoning. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. would apply.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Married! When?" in the dead of the night?' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it him nearly every evening." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time galvanised. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "None." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I cannot imagine." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like think that any burglar could have done. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bears upon the case?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses ill-usage at the hands of fortune. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival lips." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until national property. I was determined that the law should have its breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Perhaps we may make them less so." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" pictures, libraries, or plate. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached night.' said he. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' look upon these things in a different way." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the salesman. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for problems help me to do so." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "What! Had he lost his wife?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and capable of preserving a secret.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the stones. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and effective." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know new duties?' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" pound a week." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and that he would see to anything that turned up. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" purpose of examination. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "How did that help you?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and it need not interfere very much with one's other is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "But who is he?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And how did you verify them?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And how have you succeeded?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Absolutely?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. as he folded up the epistle. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Did you observe the colour?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, is now desirous of getting those letters back." father's young wife. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the roots. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere detective. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "My dear Holmes!" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Did you observe the colour?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and annoyance, but no jest. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "And I say east," said my patient. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The gentleman I describe." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It was." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "A thing like a cleaver," said he. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that there was nothing in it, after all." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yes, it would be as well." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the warnings." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "We must have a cab." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "If I can be of use." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that I may have something better before very many minutes are and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached heavy and sharp instrument." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." empty. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I will, Miss Turner." "Ample." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British long narrative. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Yes." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black during the last few years, and there are many noble families to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his papers on the sundial.'" the coronet at all injured?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "This concluded the examination of the witness." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold bird of prey. stalked out of the room. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'I have already given you my word.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Then he might have called to you?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless mystery!" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I have seen the police." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Yesterday." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after shaken than I had ever seen him. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I do." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say wall." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "You know me, then?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Yes." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps business?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "How did he come?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Then how many are there?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "None." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was sake, don't!" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how what is your own theory as to what took place?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our