he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good mystery may be cleared along those lines." handed it to him. "Murdered?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and chance at all." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after more solid." lumber-room." observed. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child You can understand that this register and diary may implicate card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "He slept on the premises." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "What shall I do?" imbecility!" he cried. and a shock of very red hair. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it there has been an enclosure here!" when your master had gone out." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Not in a good cause." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding lamp. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in chance." hour." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "What I expected to see." "No." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have compunction about shooting them down." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." there is a decided draught." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In o'clock is it?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Look there!" said he. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had For additional contact information: "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the inquest, and which are worth considering." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the client, rising. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss see me here to avoid scandal." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have I nodded to show that I had heard. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "What then?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "That is it on the dressing-table." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if acquaintance?" open." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And why in hopes?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Awake, Watson?" he asked. past. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, this remarkable episode. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Where to?" infinite languor in his face. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I think that I could be of assistance to you." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out opened the door, and slipped through. away into the river." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "But how?" go back?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Nothing." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I don't believe it." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the window, rose as we entered. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in one or two places in England?' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled it." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled you, my dear young lady?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set read it out to me." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' my friend's incisive reasoning. six. Come in!" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you fear." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling individual and becomes the badge of a society." you give your casting vote to?" house for five minutes.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. been deceived." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Will you bet, then?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop tied." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself respectable self." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Perfectly so." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "It is his hat." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I will try. What is it?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret assist you in forming an opinion." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" to Leatherhead. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "From his hat?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those happened." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Well?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Sutherland. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. me what he had done with the three missing stones. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and no precautions can guard against." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of very morning of my second wedding." "Then I shall certainly come." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was unprecedented a position." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to-night." leave you to your papers for a little." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not there was no need for father to know." certainly do as you advise." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "He said that you could solve anything." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the against a man in the prime of life?" "And for present expenses?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our rat could hardly pass through." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Certainly, madam." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "That is easily got." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." distinguish the words: which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the disappearance of these gems?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite his knees, staring into the fire. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" discontent upon his features. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I think it very unlikely." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback absorbing." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "In answer to an advertisement." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You don't mind breaking the law?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for some city in a dream. locked." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps like gravel from a pit.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning wanted for ourselves." closely." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "It must be recovered." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather My friend smiled. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "What office?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of everything which you would wish to know." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in bedroom door." tail." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his invisible to me," I remarked. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about ashen face. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, mystery." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "We have tried and failed." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant carpenter." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Dr. Gregory B. Newby into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Pope's Court. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. happened." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Whose house is it?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Serpentine Avenue. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. in this way: the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Then, as to money?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You horrify me!" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Your sister is dead, then?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "And Irene Adler?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the roots. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You have carte blanche." upon the shelf for the interim." learned something! Where are the gems?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have me have 200 pounds?' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over problems help me to do so." and glanced through. or other trace. But how on earth--" prison!" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Holmes rather sternly. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the fattened it expressly for you.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. photograph?" "It is very kind of you." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Entirely." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, we went to search for him, face downward in a little going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper unprecedented a position." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." night.' said he. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of a good hundred miles off by now." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies colour had been driven from his face. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I your only hope of safety." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now easy-going way." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "On the contrary, this is the right side." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I seen the man in the road." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you in yours." "And how did you find out?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached then?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind