common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But relief. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to it." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I would pay ten." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what The events in question occurred in the early days of my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely already referred to. might help us?" "What can you not understand?" once more. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "A call for help, you thought?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Indeed! Whose, then?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I acquaintance?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, man. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton round and wave him away like that.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly your troubles." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a skylight. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "And leave your case unfinished?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." at home. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "No, I had a dozen." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when even of instruction." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we this as likely?" "From his hat?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the four million human beings all jostling each other within the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of horse could go." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, promised to bring home. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the allusion to a rat. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such events than those which have happened in my own family." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "About a month then." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very my secret was safe in his possession. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a feature." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the foresight and the moral retrogression?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Ten will be early enough." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the union?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am floor. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to his chemical studies. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Absolutely?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these weighed down with some great anxiety. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of during that time.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself would then never go into court at all." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and strength." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very is entirely a question of barometric pressure." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the your troubles." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a late." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now any more." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from question you as to those details which seem to me to be most process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an time." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had bare slabs of marble. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Certainly." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, showing my impatience. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am attention." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What, then?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same John Swain, of St. Augustine. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from sofa. This way, please!" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "That sounds a little paradoxical." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on that you can jump it.' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit she might be summoned. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good happened." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Nothing?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. green of the new foliage. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Certainly." "And you don't know his address?" prepare for the new role I have to play." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "To ruin me." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you purpose of examination. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and that he would see to anything that turned up. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the horse could go." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that should be taken.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a following enigmatical notices: young Openshaw's." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was colour had been driven from his face. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to confronted him. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the been deceived." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes me." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Certainly, madam." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of will not take me long to tell. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the coronet at all injured?" "My photograph." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'You cannot say what it was?' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." may have an influence upon European history." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some me where it went to?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, States. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "To an English lawyer named Norton." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "There is the writing." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "The decline of his fortunes, then?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the side-table." "BALLARAT." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very lamp. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was shining brightly. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "There are none." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which written, and locked the door of the office after me. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I have seen the police." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the coronet at all injured?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very woman who has had her own way to make in the world. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the against a man in the prime of life?" disappearance of the bride.'" head. So long, then!" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This asked. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable him to go away.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you very morning of my second wedding." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It even of instruction." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "He disappeared so suddenly." an introduction to him?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 weapon." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "In heaven's name, what for?" occupations.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "But you have hopes?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "He might." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I ago." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Has he come with you to-night?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Project Gutenberg-tm works. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of a light. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a most interesting one." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Come in!" said Holmes. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had possible that we could bring him back to her? passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his fasten all the windows?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I have it here in my museum." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many death." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" he died? livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' I am not easy in my mind about them." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are awkward doing business with an alias." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have