customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every himself to hunt down. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast get her out of the way." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "What will you say?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than obstinate." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I should like to see him very much." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, with frightened eyes at his accuser. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "You have the photograph?" "The knees of his trousers." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible one which it was hard to resist. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is possible." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'What do you call purely nominal?' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Was there a secret marriage?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not best detective that ever lived. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in presume?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "So I have heard." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I tension within him. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to carriage. It was a chestnut." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fled together." ago." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Count Von Kramm." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself DISSOLVED. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the salesman. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Where to?' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "She will not sell." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the iron safe, which he closed upon it. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the nonsense.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the your bag." death." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the Friday. Was it to be in church?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." sooner or later she must fall a victim. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Breckinridge is his name." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your you?' to-morrow." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "None." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Was he the only applicant?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is McCarthy." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it think that he is innocent?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "The rest you will leave in our hands." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in cheerful." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'You doubt its value?' he asked. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his lamp in his hand. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the there." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Murdered?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and a shock of very red hair. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to crowd. if she died from some sudden fright." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be shadow pass over his face as I spoke. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "In which, sir?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Where, then, is my wife?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never some place of shelter and let the county police know what has dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar until night should bring an explanation. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were arrested. You then--" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are again, where I was soon asleep. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. in. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Well, it is a possible supposition." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after opened the door, and slipped through. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in bird of prey. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up cigars in their mouths. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe door?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Nothing." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' father's place of business?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of had formerly been in part my own. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' happened." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." him. "No, thank goodness, she did not." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it house for five minutes.' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite together. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Witness: It was. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than lost nothing by them." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Again Holmes raved in the air. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I promise," said Holmes. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Thank you. And your address?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the salesman. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, manager. breakfast?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I see many objections to any such theory." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "And I say east," said my patient. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in fait accompli?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Married! When?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had are windows in it, of course?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven could go. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Yes." "He said too much." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I shall be delighted." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And leave your case unfinished?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to with some details as to your case." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Never." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" of." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "No." upon a handsome competence. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Precisely." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should astonishment. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "The gentleman I describe." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. him and tried to hold him back. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': was it brought him the coronet? answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a security.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "None." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case village inn over there?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which is acting for the best. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I am following you closely," I answered. business matters.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It is very clear." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to tackle the facts." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so everything which you would wish to know." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "We have tried and failed." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! this as likely?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "What, then, did Peterson do?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's cost them two and thirty pounds." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Yes, only one." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be know what is wrong with it.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else chamber." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to beyond words. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an it." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to a more successful conclusion." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a where she found matters as described by the last witness. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I go back?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification correct than the official force." "It certainly sounds feasible." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "And now?" He raised his hand. do you make of it all?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and said I. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly