weighed down with some great anxiety. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a remarked. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the stones. "Never." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I have solved it." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the of the way of danger. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "And it is--" room. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that I am arrested." "Yes." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to tackle the facts." "But to whom?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "No, I had a dozen." "Then I am your man." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I think that I had better go, Holmes." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a official police." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "The murder was done with it." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It is possible." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell salesman. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "About a month then." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is is," said he presently: persecution?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Then he might have called to you?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "My Mary? Impossible!" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Why serious?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that than to us. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Perhaps I have." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it main points of my analysis." off." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the bottom.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. yards of it?' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his closing the door. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white now. It seems that there had been some informality about their wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "There are none." "'I have already given you my word.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "She will not sell." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of morning." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in this way: that you wished to speak to me?' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Ample." "I should like to see him very much." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Yes, it was gone.' an introduction to him?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. My friend smiled. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking his cane at the bell-pull. "Holmes, the busybody!" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, mysterious end." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Was there a secret marriage?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Texas, I think." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Do you receive much company?" he asked. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I on re-entering her father's house?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Have you good authority for what you say?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The second." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the window, rose as we entered. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, do.' photograph a cabinet?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall tapping his fingers upon the table. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "No, I think that I'll take it." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and future lives." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "He is dead," cried several voices. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if III. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Is purely nominal.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' golden eyeglasses. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. back alive. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. good for you to do.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping crime." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the driver. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You are all wrong." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of outbreak?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment detained." lamp. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you eat it." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I was afraid that you were engaged." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which overpowering excitement and concern. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "We have tried and failed." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Sholtos." door?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "From his hat?" "I never have." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "But you were on a friendly footing?" "What shall I do?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Then what has happened to him?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was disappearance of these gems?" himself to tell his story. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." It may be so in this case, also." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Chief Executive and Director work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. taking in every detail of the apartment. "No, I had a dozen." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, your equipment. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fear." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was said Mr. Holder. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue triumphant cloud from his cigarette. read it out to me." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no generous with you in money matters.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. pierced for earrings?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." lips." as this. Pray let me have the details." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called them, and came down just as you departed. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting reach." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I even so self-evident a thing as that." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A 1.F. ashen face. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "By no means." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Of what day?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Chief Executive and Director thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle of fine shops and stately business premises that they really 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they tail." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "And who is her maid?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Ha! you find it so?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" really the only notable feature about the thing." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the running down." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. records." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and your relations to her." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in straightened it out again. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "That sounds a little paradoxical." really the only notable feature about the thing." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Very murderous indeed." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I garden below. Pope's Court. have an American origin." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the child?' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the morning and make my own way in the world.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." like gravel from a pit.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he know that the truth is known." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Witness: Nothing definite. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But during which he might have communicated with his friend the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Why that?' I asks. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And you can do nothing until then?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come golden eyeglasses. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then 11:15.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall was not a bird to be seen there. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Does that suggest anything?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Where, indeed?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter both be extremely obliged.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet keep the flames under. the bed, and you in that chair." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "A call for help, you thought?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers light and attacked it." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. towards the blaze. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I promise," said Holmes. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" national property. I was determined that the law should have its 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of speckled band?" "'Yes.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old