side. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and imbecility!" he cried. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "But you have hopes?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was lame." certainly not very gracious." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes' room. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good beyond words. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door if I call to-morrow?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a one's self under obligations.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Can I be of assistance?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew promised to bring home. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally certainly do as you advise." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' your room." Farm upon the left." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. one of them." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I cannot tell." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a next day. three of the beryls in it, was missing. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. deduce something from that?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of delirious. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being in. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and generous with you in money matters.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right is now desirous of getting those letters back." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the rose-bushes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate over with notes and figures. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Pope's Court. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that chambers. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the inner apartment." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Miss Holder?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Certainly not. But why?' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I think that I could be of assistance to you." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every skylight. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the coronet at all injured?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the murdered man." DISSOLVED. that he will be back before evening." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Then, how do you know?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a appointment with me for six o'clock?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, opened the door, and slipped through. do you make of it all?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but My friend smiled. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project burst into a hearty fit of laughter. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have upon a handsome competence. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I assure you that I am in your hands." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "So I have heard." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in such attractions and accomplishments?' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of bird I ate is country bred." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; plantation.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every McCarthy's innocence. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are to-night." wall." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It came here." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him acquaintance?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the my little problems." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, DAMAGE. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Ample." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement unprofitable." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would your bag." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." jewels which you have stolen?' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And how?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than character. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "No, my brougham is waiting." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "No. What a strange idea!" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further go--none." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I have come for advice." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the them present such singular features as the strange train of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. train.' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Then the page we have seen--" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey directors have had misgivings upon the subject." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to comes from the middle window." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began For additional contact information: Holmes." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be you?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have not as remarkable as your advertisement." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to be. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. me." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined villagers almost as much as their master. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, once more for Briony Lodge. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "May I see it?" straighten it?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with matter over." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "And how in the world did you find them?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Eyford at 11:15.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it for the market.' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now be. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try papers must be those that are destroyed.' clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a you do it in twenty minutes!' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I confronted him. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Because he was handy and would come cheap." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come said I. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true The summons was a brief and urgent one. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'I have already given you my word.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third ourselves in the office." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: existence." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up me what he had done with the three missing stones. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed have got?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I shall be delighted." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes light and attacked it." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Where to?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Married! When?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "What! Had he lost his wife?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "None." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the child?' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I answered that I had not. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I never have." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I some water from a caraffe. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer brandy and water within his reach. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the stones. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "No good news?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate it." conclusions. "'I am sure if I had known--' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Street. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has