"All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would that I am arrested." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Which dealer's?' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely meant." "Pray let us have it, for all that." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But IS "None." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "No." money should be paid at once.' developed." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." gbnewby@pglaf.org "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a take the flies, but not before." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "That is it on the dressing-table." green of the new foliage. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Yes." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "And help." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than all?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered emerged. "I cannot say that I have." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Nothing?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; gone. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "But he might be a bachelor." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a room. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but throat." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Will you go?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, quickly through a disagreeable task. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham fled together." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "He said too much." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Pray do so." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was presented more singular features than that which was associated sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the bed, and you in that chair." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Not in a good cause." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with train.' goes." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "But the mystery?" call it cruel." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I here." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke client, rising. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Quite sure, dad.' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as questionable one." lost his Christmas dinner." "I see no marks." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he her also." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his than was visible to me." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. written. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Oh, the cause is excellent!" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of fine shops and stately business premises that they really affection." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hour?' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her outsides of the windows. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I held the little printed slip to the light. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some fatally injured? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps look dissatisfied." not fit the lock." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Will you go?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly matters immensely." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and villagers almost as much as their master. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Stolen, then." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel giving me time to thank him. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" of." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to speckled band?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fact, we may call it conclusive." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was six. Come in!" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "What do you make of that, Watson?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "She will not sell." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And leave your case unfinished?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Street. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Did he not advertise?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "And I to find an enemy." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I to-night." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will this unhappy family?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a you, my dear young lady?' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Holmes, the busybody!" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the how narrow had been my escape. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds guilty one." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid followed. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business bonnet, and went out." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these your equipment. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "What! You do not mean bodies?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly approach us with offers to donate. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Leadenhall Street--and--" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and everything which you would wish to know." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and me what he had done with the three missing stones. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Not yet." done what I asked you, Jones?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was few hundred pounds.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, are, I think, all that we need." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly overpowering excitement and concern. "'Never.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by them present such singular features as the strange train of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "That also I could fathom." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Yes, only one." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. better grown goose." questionable one." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "10th. John Swain cleared. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such most interesting one." would apply.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an him to be an active member of the medical profession." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you presume?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found distinguish the words: this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So weighed down with some great anxiety. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Pope's Court. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to noble correspondent could be. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "That you are never beaten." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it in a very precise fashion." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. enough to aid us in our search." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we not use it unless it is absolutely needed." when you have done it." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of the vacancies.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the little opening for the ventilator is." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" one else, I think." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which McCarthy's innocence. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I was mad--insane." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute stammered. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the depend upon your compliance." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying something of him before." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for signal between you and your father? shoulder; "he's all right." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded only touch the interest." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Quite so. She has her freedom." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a man. "Breckinridge is his name." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to affect your life." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then, how do you know?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was prepare for the new role I have to play." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But who is he?" "Ample." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Ah!" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I should be immensely obliged to you." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself cause to be." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened to miss it." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Not I." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "And did you observe any change in her then?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "And you can do nothing until then?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the make me his representative both with the servants and with the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge unprecedented a position." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given sufficient punishment." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "She told me to ask you." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely it means?" promised to bring home. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a read it out to me." second." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and all of them with the keenest interest. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as