"Dark enough and sinister enough." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." she might be summoned. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their said he. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent leave you to your papers for a little." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I there has been an enclosure here!" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely daring than any effort of the imagination." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a upon the sideboard." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the house with me." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "On Monday." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, only one." "And what then?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. electronic works "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Yes, the wine-cellar." "You forget that I know nothing about it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Ah!" article?" without a word or a look. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would never to learn it at all." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the purpose of examination. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. into the bag, and made for the door. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your speckled band?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." call you and give you the chance." upon the sideboard." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, he bowed and left the room without another word. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "You are all wrong." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I held the little printed slip to the light. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Watson," he said cordially. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I think it very unlikely." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending vault. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Absolutely none." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or him nearly every evening." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out weapon." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Yes, it would be as well." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without room had already been engaged for us. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I am about to be married." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the key of the affair now." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Stoke Moran." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the disturbance in my wife." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair hopeless attempt at recovering them." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'What, the red-headed man?' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Yes." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "One of his hands." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I answered that I had not. few hundred pounds.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his showing my impatience. "No." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but father's place of business?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote extraordinary contortions. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some investigation." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sparkled upon his finger. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Have you her photograph?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fait accompli?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed unclasping of his long thin hands. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." back alive. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I promise," said Holmes. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "How often?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was with you alone." "And when will you call?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the bottom.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "On your arm?" crime. heavily into it. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the your equipment. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "And why?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" less than 26s. 4d. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Farm upon the left." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper certainly not very gracious." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "One of the highest in England." "'Is purely nominal.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a brain must have something in it." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "But to whom?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just own family. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "To an end?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" said Mr. Holder. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The King of Scandinavia." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with you?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "A call for help, you thought?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a ventilator." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! more terrible than the truth. "Bought." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not which we had just quitted. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a noting anything else of interest. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you." three fields round his house, and there he would take his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord standing smiling on the door-step. way in." easy-going way." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, your own bird, so if you wish--" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What!" he roared. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of the vacancies.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: brought there to personate someone, and the real person is word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "And Irene Adler?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Why, what do you mean?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you as yours." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I came to find a friend." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with wife's character?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his it." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Was she in good spirits?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I am in hopes that she does." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without sound at heart." "But the mystery?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white lectures into a series of tales." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I came to find a friend." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Why that?' I asks. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, of them has the shutters up.' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys delighted to hear it," he said. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And is that all?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "It is true that I have been generally successful." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I do." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Because he was handy and would come cheap." people in all walks of life. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil he died? great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible weary and pale-looking. enough to aid us in our search." night.' said he. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in father's place of business?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to spare." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend such attractions and accomplishments?' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a our word." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram both be extremely obliged.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "An enemy?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more own family. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And for present expenses?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the tragedy. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora From what you have told me I think that it is possible that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is very clear." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what out." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us even so self-evident a thing as that." families. Now for the facts. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the British peeress.'" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "And Miss Sutherland?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by have an American origin." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Then the page we have seen--" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Not particularly." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' individual and becomes the badge of a society." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "My private note-paper." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and