green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Pray do so." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'There is a drive, then?' other, as fresh and trim as possible. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "In answer to an advertisement." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" habit of advancing money.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what what I may call a really hard day's work." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The events in question occurred in the early days of my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen row." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the matter." "You think that he is dead?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I have come for advice." charge against him will break down." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was outside. go back?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to seven miles from Eyford Station.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Which surely he restored to their owner?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa national property. I was determined that the law should have its PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back my little problems." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate fire. You quite follow me?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for forehead. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation distinguish the words: purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over go from here to the Strand." your troubles." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "When did it break out?" "9th. McCauley cleared. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to his chemical studies. "The knees of his trousers." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. had a long day." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, at my remark. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And the murderer?" is worth.' "Frequently." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. copied or distributed: excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I horse could go." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "No, I think that I'll take it." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Doctor, of the paper and the date." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than not use it unless it is absolutely needed." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I would give my fortune to have them back." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in promised to bring home. "I never have." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, washing it down with a long draught of water. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he will he say when he returns?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "But how will you look?" "And is that all?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered telegram would bring me down to your help." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "How are you getting on?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her how narrow had been my escape. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Certainly,' I answered. you." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "In the cells." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I am to be neutral?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must examination of the premises, but without finding anything which towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. be sorry for having acted so harshly." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Ten will be early enough." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'And the work?' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes." "Did your wife hear all this?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning done what I asked you, Jones?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his character. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than papers on the sundial.'" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the child." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and something of him before." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just handed it to him. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I spark where all is dark to me." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a feature." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a fluttered off among the others. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could there in twenty minutes." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at brain must have something in it." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which him to be an active member of the medical profession." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "9th. McCauley cleared. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my so far?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' could not have written that. It is the German who is so as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. amused." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the general public were present, then?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. maiden herself was most instructive." astonishment. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass entirely lost his self-respect." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the future lives." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of excitement. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "No, I am descending." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Deserted you?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "And what then?" outside." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the Assizes." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "What can you not understand?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing that I am arrested." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "What then?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel up this clue while it is still hot." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "By train from Waterloo." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in thin legs towards the fire. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "But I have heard all that you have heard." locked. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case ashen face. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and looked back. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has occurred." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It must be recovered." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and over with notes and figures. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And that is--" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Was he the only applicant?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Nothing." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never south, for the country is more deserted there." II. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I know where it is." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" like gravel from a pit.' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding again." seven miles from Eyford Station.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an definite end. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Quite so. She has her freedom." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Tell me all about it,' said I. page at http://pglaf.org charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. chair. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices conceal it?" "Nothing?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, of it with the greatest attention. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Never to return." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Countess of Morcar's?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this about. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the when your master had gone out." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was second window is the one that I jumped from." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced dates and names. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to that I can to serve you." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "How did that help you?" "Always." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, showing my impatience. DISSOLVED. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I will, Miss Turner." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you want, then?' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Then he might have called to you?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in south, for the country is more deserted there." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. your co-operation." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "That sounds a little paradoxical." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'I shall certainly be there.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to-night." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six suspect him." would then never go into court at all." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Really! You surprise me." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "He disappeared so suddenly." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "But you were on a friendly footing?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some breakfast." fire. You quite follow me?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Then the page we have seen--" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which happened." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and looked back. "What have you to say now?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument,"