roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "One of his hands." you understand?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I cannot tell." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "And what then?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for in this note: It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case affair. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Yes, sir." man. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something where we are going." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with figure." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect DISSOLVED. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "My dear Holmes!" returned to France?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE bedroom door." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "A greater distance to travel." "Do you go out much in society?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms acted in my house last night?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to without a word or a look. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The Cedars?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern next day. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? even so self-evident a thing as that." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Why serious?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right if she died from some sudden fright." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a as noiselessly as she had come. "'Quite sure, dad.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "But you have hopes?" "Why did you pick him?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said me upon any point which I do not make clear." what do you think they found in the pockets?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of future lives." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and of Mr. Rucastle's." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," writer." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I don't say that. Perhaps." then?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Perhaps we may make them less so." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite up this clue while it is still hot." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I cannot imagine." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded existence." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless away to you." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained his eyes and forehead. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be less than 26s. 4d. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged mystery." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled washing it down with a long draught of water. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were woman who has had her own way to make in the world. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish not, dad?" she asked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" it." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office which I could not give. He asked for Alice. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'About the same.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "But the mystery?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and a shock of very red hair. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the dangers which encompass me." "Yes, it was twisted." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention awaited us upon the table. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It is true that I have been generally successful." "How did you trace it, then?" a monotonous occupation." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he obstinate." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here it." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be mystery." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and tapping his fingers upon the table. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the devil!" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" carpenter." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Lee, in the county of Kent." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so security.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my carriage. It was a chestnut." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and there is a decided draught." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a room. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having returned to France?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Where, then, is my wife?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "But how?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I have come for advice." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but works. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all were wasted." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of this gang." his eyes and forehead. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of your young ladies.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "In heaven's name, what for?" "Look there!" said he. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is what do you think they found in the pockets?" "This photograph!" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is been deceived." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Never." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until works. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he whatever might befall. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And now?" He raised his hand. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "No, but the enclosure is." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had knowledge of the world." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some answer." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I guessed as much." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I have solved it." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and companion. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Why did you beat the pavement?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "We must have a cab." Sutherland?" "Precisely so. But how--" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as read over the extraordinary announcement. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable we went to search for him, face downward in a little came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house look dissatisfied." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "At what time?" into the bag, and made for the door. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I was mad--insane." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our definite end. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up it right.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will man. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, guilty one." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before your own bird, so if you wish--" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of this gang." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you for a few hours?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It missed him, then?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense your only hope of safety." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to direction." "At what time?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "10th. John Swain cleared. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent shoulder; "he's all right." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety legal crime." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" certainly do as you advise." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a brain must have something in it." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and looked back. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of them has the shutters up.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But how could you guess what the motive was?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "But you have hopes?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, that is the Crown." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same get the tickets." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Well, it is a possible supposition." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from children over to America with him, so that I found myself without it." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him other means.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Certainly, madam." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without with frightened eyes at his accuser. cup of tea. "Thank you. And your address?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was all-comprehensive glances. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "And why?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "And your mother is alive?" are, I think, all that we need." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear delirious. stepfather?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been head. So long, then!" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You are all wrong." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "And who is her maid?" official police." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "We have tried and failed." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and nice household for a young lady." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Holmes' thin, eager face. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before persecution?" crime." "Yes. He waved his hands." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "That's no good." bedroom door." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some For additional contact information: me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a States. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Where, indeed?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three status with the IRS. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." be.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "A call for help, you thought?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Certainly not.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must returning from some small jollification and was making his way