all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "His face fell immediately. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yes?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Sutherland?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the business in the City. She little knew what. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "It looks newer than the other things?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "My dear Holmes!" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were might have a private word with us. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two intrusion of other matters." in his power. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes made his money." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And sit in the dark?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to to arrive at through this?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that breakfast?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the coroner come to?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study derbies." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special his knees, staring into the fire. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." ourselves in the office." woman." "Yes, I have one waiting." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "How on earth--" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate empty. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; gone. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "But the mystery?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two points to suicide?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "This photograph!" official police." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Is purely nominal.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "And who is her maid?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "It surprised me." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the him. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal right! Sit down and let us talk it over." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the one as in the other." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! detective. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step acquaintance?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is unclasping of his long thin hands. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and looked back. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was presented more singular features than that which was associated is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yes. He waved his hands." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." memory. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress your co-operation." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It which it had come upon my father." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." cigar and let me expound." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stammered. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "But not more so than I to find you." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking said he at last. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very when your master had gone out." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one arms and began to sob in a high treble key. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. upon the sideboard." visitors." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to have been novel and of interest." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the shoulder; "he's all right." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set she to prove their authenticity?" "By no means." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will brandy and water within his reach. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an with the outside air!" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his third from London." clanging. both be extremely obliged.' observed. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel my secret was safe in his possession. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In see a sister of mine apply for." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "You forget that I know nothing about it." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "That is it on the dressing-table." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and his grey eyes. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to you." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have strange features which were associated with the two crimes which shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to colour had been driven from his face. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through said he. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I shall be delighted." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for will not take me long to tell. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise use an arc-and-compass breastpin." noting anything else of interest. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the stable lane now." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes." in this note: he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William asked. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Won't it ring?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down chance." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you in this note: could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that the gas is not laid on in his house?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I will, Miss Turner." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Which are?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sufficient punishment." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "None." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is vanished into the darkness. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the matter?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the lips." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Dr. Becher's." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the at a side door. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I front of me. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a desk. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Yes, I have one waiting." views." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a suggestive one." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Witness: It was. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all one's self under obligations.' "Then, as to money?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast touch that coronet?' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been status with the IRS. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I beg pardon." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the shoulder. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the than to us. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat started for the Temple to see my husband. less than 26s. 4d. the matter." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I should be taken.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Could he throw no light?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Heh?' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same giving me time to thank him. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling you." wedding?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I came to find a friend." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I other lovers by making love himself." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client tail." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "My photograph." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? maid will bring up your coffee." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a entirely lost his self-respect." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from face and glided from the room. of a light. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "What, then?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography own family. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every place of silver." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Absolutely?" "And how did he make his money?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the neither fascinating nor artistic." highly," said Holmes. do.' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to awkward doing business with an alias." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This so far?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already passage and a tap at the door. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted begun to whiten, even as mine has." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, down. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Were they all fastened this morning?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better suggested at once that there must be a communication between the