"There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the devil!" business matters.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," see a sister of mine apply for." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he might have a private word with us. "I cannot say that I have." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "What shall I do?" "But your client--" place no limit on the sum I may draw." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, go from here to the Strand." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "An enemy?" article?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "And you thought he was pulled back?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "What! You do not mean bodies?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought your billet.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "In which, sir?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never least a fellow-countryman. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what hurried by. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** instincts rose up against that laugh. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the would apply.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "We were both in the photograph." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so there is a decided draught." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Where to?' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But you can know nothing of this?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I would give my fortune to have them back." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the his knees, staring into the fire. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then evidence," I remarked. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I am following you closely," I answered. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "You horrify me." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And for present expenses?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Was the window open?" Edgeware Road. "Was the window open?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Street. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, not within a twentieth part of the market price." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes, from Horsham." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No, my brougham is waiting." is worth.' once more for Briony Lodge. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I cannot tell." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in call for it in person on Monday morning.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast cigars in the box." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of charge against him will break down." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy cigars in the box." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need it with his own hands." depend upon my doing so.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. already been minutely examined." absorbing." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "You know me, then?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a matters immensely." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hopeless attempt at recovering them." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his like gravel from a pit.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the address that was given us in the advertisement. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and I shall be with you presently." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being some mystery and the punishment of some crime." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had to surprise her." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see all-comprehensive glances. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential completely overtopped every other consideration that we both set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and a shock of very red hair. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that province." "'What then?' I asked. arrangements." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Only as much as we can deduce." "No, thank goodness, she did not." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Pray do so." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Then he might have called to you?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'I shall certainly be there.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Was there a secret marriage?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark daring than any effort of the imagination." into the bag, and made for the door. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Yes, he did." him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Farm upon the left." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the murdered man." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" an introduction to him?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "How on earth--" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press opportunities to fix the problem. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. your only hope of safety." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I never have." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell your troubles." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bears upon the case?" if only as a check to my own memory." a suggestive one." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed them present such singular features as the strange train of national property. I was determined that the law should have its importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "None." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the child." later, upon the night of May 2nd." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to of a light. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the is worth.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. correct than the official force." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has heavy and sharp instrument." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just would apply.' said I. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the inner apartment." in. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I shall be delighted." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not other means.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must disappearance of these gems?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the roots. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "What office?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside The summons was a brief and urgent one. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the certainly do as you advise." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." me." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Quite sure, dad.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." better grown goose." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Where, then?" standing smiling on the door-step. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "That is easily got." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "He is still with you, I presume?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, open." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Pray be precise as to details," said he. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached begin with, and I had not got mine yet." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "What will you do, then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I is so. I know all about McCarthy." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Street. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." upon an income of about 60 pounds." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "You heard nothing yourself last night?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I have hopes." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fashion which was peculiar to him. "Ten will be early enough." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most indiscretion." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting this poor creature." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which we had just quitted. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I am armed." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "That sounds a little paradoxical." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "May I see it?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be other means.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that been lifted and conveyed somewhere." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" upon the sideboard." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a seven miles from Eyford Station.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Absolutely none." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of how narrow had been my escape. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you