the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's window when the police appeared." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end not interfere, come what may. You understand?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of his shoulders. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "But his left-handedness." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door country, and eventually married, without anyone having a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'It is locked up,' I answered. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and colonel looking down at me. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Yes, all." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What is it?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Never.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really envelope. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior IS with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The police have openly confessed that they can at present make only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the which are rolled in Rotterdam." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits already referred to. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our certainly not very gracious." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "To the police?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." a good hundred miles off by now." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. I am not easy in my mind about them." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." ago." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You forget that I know nothing about it." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." morning." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and stammered. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the window, rose as we entered. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can floor. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his face. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of would apply.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'Where to?' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Upon what point?" companion quietly. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I was mad--insane." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Whose house is it?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' whereabouts. "I was mad--insane." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ results." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "And Miss Sutherland?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting perplexity from it to my illustrious client. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things happened." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square ashen face. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was ran thus: at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, were unconscious?" exactly what you advise." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "That sounds a little paradoxical." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the assist you in forming an opinion." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Why did you pick him?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" place of silver." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The there in twenty minutes." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. residence of the great financier. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "My photograph." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "That sounds a little paradoxical." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that any." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than it." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never it means?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He slept on the premises." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still DISSOLVED. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" showing my impatience. is a common subject for conversation. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Dr. Gregory B. Newby this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "That is possible." closely." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. strength." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we nice household for a young lady." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the round and wave him away like that.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Holmes, the busybody!" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things woman who has had her own way to make in the world. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to-night's adventure." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story fluttered off among the others. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet hopeless attempt at recovering them." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. least a most suspicious remark." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the careless servant girl?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "What can you not understand?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Well, some hundreds of times." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Nothing?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "But she will refuse." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to me. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'Yes, sir.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "How do you know, then?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "She walked into the breakfast-room." goes." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Yes, sir." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "By train from Waterloo." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered have accepted such a situation. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred will be renamed. "I think it very unlikely." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You will not go there first?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He me have 200 pounds?' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, sake, don't!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we coat-tails." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for tension within him. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to figure." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and about. "Then, how do you know?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And the murderer?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I will not look." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' again before evening." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the matters immensely." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Pray do so." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Very good.' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Proceed, then." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' back alive. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue did not hear it also.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more people in all walks of life. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Watson," he said cordially. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, joking. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be