hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "And your mother is alive?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Perhaps I have." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, detective. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "No, but the enclosure is." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less question. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness round with crates and massive boxes. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too bill, which interests me deeply." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very For additional contact information: square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And how did you verify them?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there again." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "It is very kind of you." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And that is--" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while call for protection in the marriage market, for the present thin, with a long, sharp nose?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." himself to tell his story. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I before the coroner and the police-court." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Precisely." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Indeed! Whose, then?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose this poor creature." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for call for protection in the marriage market, for the present knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I think it very unlikely." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several rat could hardly pass through." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its undoubtedly my uncle's." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted chair. Henry Baker is a member." but preventing her from injuring another. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss hopeless attempt at recovering them." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet always that they were such commands as a lady might with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Well, but China?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Which are?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Now, then, what's the last entry?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our up this clue while it is still hot." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a unkempt, staring out at me. "Your presence might be invaluable." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and glanced through. carried out of court." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And your mother is alive?" "That is unusual in a young girl." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the tragedy. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You horrify me!" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But how?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "If I can be of use." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that woven round him. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, speckled band?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Bought." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I have seen the police." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. directors, with the result that you have seen." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just derbies." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which our visitor detailed to us. "'Never.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "That is not always so easy." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to arrive at through this?" "I fear not." weighed down with some great anxiety. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to Leatherhead. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Stolen." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary done what I asked you, Jones?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You horrify me!" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Certainly." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Yesterday." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to affect your life." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Why? What do you mean?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "No." had died away into the silence from which it rose. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Where to?' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking emerged. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of 11:15.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a extraordinary contortions. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Has he come with you to-night?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Yes." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "No." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the cigars in the box." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought she slowly sank and died without having recovered her time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to wedding?" promised to bring home. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And on what day did he meet his death?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then despaired of." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of the one which your family is now devouring." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Where is it, then?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "But your client--" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "A call for help, you thought?" that you wished to speak to me?' Edgeware Road. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or meant." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "One of the highest in England." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was any little problem which you may submit to me." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say me what he had done with the three missing stones. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and I shall be with you presently." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the indeed which he could not unravel. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Count Von Kramm." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the window, rose as we entered. "'I have already given you my word.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his you, my dear young lady?' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no danger is over." generous with you in money matters.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a money should be paid at once.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'I shall certainly be there.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, only one." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Certainly,' I answered. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Precisely." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, up this clue while it is still hot." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I cannot imagine." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And sit in the dark?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Of Friday, June 19th." October 9, 1890. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured straighten it?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, handed it to him. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Did you become engaged then?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." crime. green of the new foliage. "How can you tell that?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire fled together." it means?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?"