to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe to tell." "Did he not advertise?" way: "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' memory. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "No, I am descending." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A upon the sideboard." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right tension within him. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "None." "I have hopes." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; indeed happy." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it were putty." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I call the police, let the police find what they can.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What do you mean?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any see a sister of mine apply for." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I made him keep the appointment." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke started for the Temple to see my husband. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the there was no need for father to know." "I will try. What is it?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. train.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into appeared upon the scene." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. new duties?' already referred to. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "None." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from you." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "And the cigar-holder?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "No, distinctly professional." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." we went to search for him, face downward in a little chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Precisely." "At the wedding breakfast." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "No sign of it?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Sholtos." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it other means.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." through." thin legs towards the fire. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "One?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "No." "What, then?" look dissatisfied." "How about poison?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the matter?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a for the market.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning washing it down with a long draught of water. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I cannot think." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I am still in the dark." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Precisely so. But how--" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "And help." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "One?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. clang of the bell. point in the dark hollow of his hand. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the occurred." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, which it had come upon my father." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "The knees of his trousers." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words train.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to bare slabs of marble. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in his hands." only touch the interest." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "He might." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What then?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out would then never go into court at all." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned of them has the shutters up.' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "There are none." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think good for you to do.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" London for the present?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I get her out of the way." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the window, rose as we entered. London for the present?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have own family. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see it with his own hands." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." wedding?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the salesman. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Pray let us have it, for all that." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the ceremony." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, danger is over." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and gentleman's clothes. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's your only hope of safety." to his chemical studies. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere have accepted such a situation. one of them." your sleep?' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Yes, I promise.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may secret." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And how?" "It missed him, then?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "To an end?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. walking." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and have this put in the evening papers." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Precisely so. But how--" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw rat could hardly pass through." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge hurried by. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of Fenchurch Street." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wife's character?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the vault. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Munro.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of breakfast." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You saw the ventilator, too?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And how did you find out?" where we are going." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I bears upon the case?" "None." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Mary, has deserted me." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me generous with you in money matters.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I cannot imagine." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, main points of my analysis." train.' coat-tails." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life morning." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so intrusion of other matters." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I nodded again. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Pray do so." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but stood on the top of it. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "So I have heard." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he time." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I his face. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Well?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. papers diligently of late, have you not?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the notes," he said. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "It is his hat." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Ample." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and effective." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be him. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with next day. The King stared at him in amazement. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Yes." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. there has been an enclosure here!" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." States. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as these bleak autumnal evenings." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to bird of prey. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the she used." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. said he. about.