The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was second window is the one that I jumped from." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to tapping his fingers upon the table. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. easy-going way." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless business?" London for the present?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I will not look." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And sit in the dark?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I will get her to show me." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which to that open window." "Witness: Nothing definite. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered you do it in twenty minutes!' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And on what day did he meet his death?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "He said too much." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It is to him that this trophy belongs." bonnet, and went out." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I examine." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Where to?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock who was a member of your goose club." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'I shall certainly be there.' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to his chemical studies. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the if only as a check to my own memory." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five golden eyeglasses. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, was used.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; It was close upon four before the door opened, and a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Two days later this same performance was gone through under which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "It looks newer than the other things?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather fact, we may call it conclusive." "No more words. Get out!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a IS that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it." ourselves in the office." "I will try. What is it?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." your room." "And why in hopes?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to companion. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his results." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I am armed." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Surrey." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'In my own bureau.' down. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his place no limit on the sum I may draw." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" foot. "How often?" you." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of character. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Pray continue your narrative." "My own seal." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. read it out to me." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all arms and began to sob in a high treble key. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again dead, shall be safe with us." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Not particularly." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "How are you getting on?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I stood on the top of it. do.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we less than 26s. 4d. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his face which made him a very different person to the round, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was bird I ate is country bred." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." peculiar to him. confronted him. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will up this clue while it is still hot." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good legal crime." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "You have but to name it." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of the vacancies.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. bled considerably." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I shall most certainly do so." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Do you go out much in society?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to them?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'There is a drive, then?' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Where, then, is my wife?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Entirely." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire too. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I will get her to show me." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's might have a private word with us. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. during which he might have communicated with his friend the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder directly by questioning you." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" indeed which he could not unravel. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the meanly of me." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and your relations to her." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open few hundred pounds.' License. You must require such a user to return or sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Were they all fastened this morning?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" a monotonous occupation." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I delighted to hear it," he said. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I warn you that they are very incomplete." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of individual and becomes the badge of a society." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your answered with a sidelong glance. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "By no means." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional triumphant cloud from his cigarette. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "So I am. Very much so." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I have come for advice." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "We were both in the photograph." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in mystery may be cleared along those lines." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his forehead." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking might help us?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And how did you find out?" your sleep?' the nursery. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I shall be delighted." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is a murder, then?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, bonnet, and went out." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat digesting their breakfasts at home." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I fait accompli?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and important." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of for its centre. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Oh, no.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat thin legs towards the fire. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the father's place of business?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I do." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet if I call to-morrow?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the straighten it?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "He slept on the premises." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know joking. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in had died away into the silence from which it rose. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Proceed, then." the stable lane now." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Holmes' thin, eager face. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to that open window." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'And the work?' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the date of his supposed suicide." me where it went to?" clanging. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons more solid." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It is true that I have been generally successful." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the roots. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat tell him that I know him to be innocent." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far