not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." wedding?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a His name is Francis Prosper." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, article?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And why?" distinguish the words: was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Certainly." "I shall most certainly do so." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "His face fell immediately. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, yet." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the matter?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate brandy and water within his reach. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid there was no need for father to know." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. his grey eyes. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the side-table." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "But I am all in the dark." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "To ruin me." entirely lost his self-respect." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his you." maiden herself was most instructive." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Not I." was a lad." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And now?" I asked. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you be sorry for having acted so harshly." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I don't believe it." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Holmes rather sternly. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man could not account in any way for the presence of the missing there when the Rucastles went away." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mystery may be cleared along those lines." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and believe that I should never have any practice at all. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." less than 26s. 4d. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." leaning back in his chair. dates and names. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you give your casting vote to?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, always that they were such commands as a lady might with in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but gone. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate following enigmatical notices: fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas conduct the inquiry." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Well?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." indeed which he could not unravel. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable at once, for I have only half an hour." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, take the flies, but not before." I approached. closely." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are The police have openly confessed that they can at present make to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has you?' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES if I call to-morrow?" was a loud and authoritative tap. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs been." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your where she found matters as described by the last witness. imbecility!" he cried. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door forbidden door. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" extraordinary contortions. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "At what time?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But I shall continue with my miserable story. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then I shall certainly come." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty him and tried to hold him back. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Then you may be so with me." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. beyond words. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must instincts rose up against that laugh. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "No." security.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I warn you that they are very incomplete." name is different." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Nearly eleven." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" time." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about you want, then?' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin colour had been driven from his face. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "And leave your case unfinished?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yes, the wine-cellar." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. figure." rat could hardly pass through." 11:15.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the ways of our fellow-men." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in is a common subject for conversation. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's will find little credit to be gained out of this case." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "And why?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open better grown goose." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I it." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "In which, sir?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of the vacancies.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Dark enough and sinister enough." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Yes." peculiar to him. to talk it over. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Then you may entirely rely on me." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave bled considerably." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yes." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Absolutely none." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that said Mr. Holder. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Certainly." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for better grown goose." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray your own bird, so if you wish--" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Street. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "No." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, nonsense.' "It came here." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "No. What a strange idea!" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which hour." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is a very grave face. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Yes." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' results." here and I will read it to you: shoulder. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a suggestive one." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the stones. some terrible trap for her." the very morning of the wedding." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." upon an income of about 60 pounds." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, bled considerably." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but works. See paragraph 1.E below. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his has little to do with my story." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the you do it in twenty minutes!' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore footfalls from the street. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall excitement. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and effective." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and system of imprisonment?" "I do." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very main points of my analysis." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Proceed, then." exactly what you advise." purpose equally well?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for weapon." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some investigation." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For least a most suspicious remark." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? before, for it was considerably after midnight. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was place no limit on the sum I may draw." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you do it in twenty minutes!' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. any little problem which you may submit to me." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the as noiselessly as she had come. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Dirty?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "My private note-paper." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He said too much." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "What can you not understand?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. speckled band?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his