especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your if she died from some sudden fright." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dramatic, in fact." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "My private note-paper." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that you saw all that I did." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and photograph a cabinet?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of the way of danger. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she morning." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main just called myself is not exactly my own." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ordinary clothes on?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Was she in good spirits?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Stolen." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. your Highness to the police-station?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Yes, certainly." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was of this gang." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Not I." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "But how?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." purpose equally well?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. call the police, let the police find what they can.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it him to go away.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been she might be summoned. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to you." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project with the outside air!" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Very well, sir. And this stone?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage The King stared at him in amazement. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Certainly,' I answered. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I am still in the dark." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate The King stared at him in amazement. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been records." true." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" been with you?" rose-bushes. photograph?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared vague figure huddled up in the darkness. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, back alive. "What, then?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint clang of the bell. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Holmes' face clouded over. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air locked. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to voice, changing her seat as requested. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say guilty one." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. more solid." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "And how did he make his money?" voice, changing her seat as requested. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady wedding?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "How are you getting on?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sake, don't!" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" emerged. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." on in his house." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "My stepfather's business papers." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the coronet in his hand?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from 'please.'" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Yes, sir.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But me upon any point which I do not make clear." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. passage and a tap at the door. "The gentleman I describe." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "One of his hands." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, note?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of 11:15.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Witness: Nothing definite. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "That is easily got." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the armchair which I pushed forward for him. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You think so, too?" nice household for a young lady." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. http://gutenberg.net/license). if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. awkward doing business with an alias." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. he. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven over his head with a sweet womanly caress. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Holmes, the busybody!" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "And I to find an enemy." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from is worth.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the Red-headed League." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You have compromised yourself seriously." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began your sleep?' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the delirious. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while manager. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of a light. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Dr. Becher's." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, eavesdroppers?' "An accident, I presume?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each easy-going way." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the loss of it. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very meant." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Come in!" said Holmes. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father do you make of it all?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a morning." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "You think that he is dead?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Then I can wait in the next room." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'In my own bureau.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a ready to-morrow?' three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first held up the lantern and gazed about him. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a so.' remarked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Then I do not see the point." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he grasp, he hurried from the room. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Dark enough and sinister enough." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I shall communicate with you." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Absolutely?" "Was she in good spirits?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with unkempt, staring out at me. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up My friend smiled. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Then I am your man." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove them?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "They are typewritten," I remarked. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out again, where I was soon asleep. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Cross for the Continent." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Which are?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I guessed as much." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the matter." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I don't say that. Perhaps." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but vanished into the darkness. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." danger is over." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a constraint." and a shock of very red hair. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only fishes. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of straightened it out again. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out remarked. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook once more for Briony Lodge. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my ago." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking