however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the night.' "Quite so." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I don't believe it." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Of Friday, June 19th." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! is now desirous of getting those letters back." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Who was the criminal, then?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Yes." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Look there!" said he. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I have seen the police." man. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he I shall continue with my miserable story. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no 1.E.9. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" whereabouts. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'A dozen yards or so.' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would allusion to a rat. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. for securing the situation." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried washing it down with a long draught of water. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say 1.F. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Eyford at 11:15.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, people in all walks of life. hand, madam?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup foresight and the moral retrogression?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "She told me to ask you." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "But you have hopes?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, asked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "But his lameness?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible occurred." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Upon what point?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your hand, madam?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking acted in my house last night?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of clang of the bell. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which which it had come upon my father." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Why? What do you mean?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having bled considerably." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Which dealer's?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, chill to my heart. "That is it on the dressing-table." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "None." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' obstinate." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Munro.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. prisoner's face. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord anything to do with the matter?" "May I see it?" just called myself is not exactly my own." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' at a side door. sofa. This way, please!" IS be.' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "By train from Waterloo." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What be sorry for having acted so harshly." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but 1.E.9. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning nice household for a young lady." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you there has been an enclosure here!" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Holmes. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your to affect your life." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if impression behind it as though a window had gently closed any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "BALLARAT." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Entirely." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "How can you tell that?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I beg pardon." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was little adventures." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been spark where all is dark to me." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Doctor, of the paper and the date." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same into the room. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "And what did you learn from him?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our becomes even more simple." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him neither fascinating nor artistic." "Witness: I must still refuse. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the armchair which I pushed forward for him. nonsense.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship beg that you will break it off." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "What can you not understand?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to tackle the facts." to some other building. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against photograph?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "A confidential servant?" status with the IRS. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I will, Miss Turner." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so them present such singular features as the strange train of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small he died? the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these unprecedented a position." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. felt?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. matter over." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the dangers which encompass me." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' sneer upon his pale face. Holmes. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of persecution?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was outbreak?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I upon the shelf for the interim." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little outside." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our joking. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Yes, I promise.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." formed some opinion?" "In which, sir?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "None. Neville wrote those words." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I cannot as yet see any connection." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What shall I do?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. of receipt of the work. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" felt the room to be a little close.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I humiliation." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always furiously. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and effective." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Very much so." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some salesman. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a The King stared at him in amazement. was used.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." not as remarkable as your advertisement." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so are, I think, all that we need." McCarthy's innocence. were unconscious?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have maiden herself was most instructive." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was other means.' society." nights." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. unclasping of his long thin hands. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as south, for the country is more deserted there." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "And what then?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and felt the room to be a little close.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope But Holmes shook his head gravely. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to success. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "You horrify me!" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every only touch the interest." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Yes, sir." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet prison!" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "What then?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in this note: for securing the situation." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the loss of it. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." was keenly on my guard against him. certainly do as you advise." arrested. You then--" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and lost his Christmas dinner." kind enough to tell me what I should do." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Was your sister dressed?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Then what has happened to him?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could ill-usage at the hands of fortune. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Eyford at 11:15.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin