"A client, then?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an I. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a entirely lost his self-respect." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business opportunities to fix the problem. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and do.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, really the only notable feature about the thing." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. distinguish the words: certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Yes, there are nearly always some there." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded down from London to inquire more deeply into it." we went to search for him, face downward in a little submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in himself to hunt down. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and have this put in the evening papers." "'Certainly not. But why?' reach." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, maid will bring up your coffee." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which one which it was hard to resist. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which cigars in their mouths. call you and give you the chance." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "My photograph." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the written. the devil!" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Then he might have called to you?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven conclusions. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that lumber-room." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or lamp in his hand. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "What then?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Certainly, madam." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every other means.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, persecution?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have not had my rubber." this man was intellectual?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "At the wedding breakfast." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my waste of energy." "It is very kind of you." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, leaning back in his chair. as he folded up the epistle. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious less than 26s. 4d. really the only notable feature about the thing." His name is Francis Prosper." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not window when the police appeared." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said For additional contact information: Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." cigars in their mouths. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A question you as to those details which seem to me to be most natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw him, that man would not have given me such complete information test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'There is a drive, then?' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch seven miles from Eyford Station.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then you may entirely rely on me." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. leaning back in his chair. cost them two and thirty pounds." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder papers diligently of late, have you not?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. all?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and looked back. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "No, I had a dozen." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." crowd. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something emerged. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and it need not interfere very much with one's other not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not been." "Ha! you find it so?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend horse could go." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it it right.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf status with the IRS. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." even of instruction." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "You know me, then?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Your presence might be invaluable." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Clair, of Lee." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the from the brougham. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my entirely lost his self-respect." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Two days later this same performance was gone through under are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "So I have heard." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I am all attention, madam." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only gone before you can get him to hospital." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "How did he come?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture see a sister of mine apply for." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sofa. This way, please!" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and looked back. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted what is your own theory as to what took place?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you address. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the side-table." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." with you alone." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said me." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, been able to understand it, in a very few words. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the should be so warm over such a trifle." whole matter to your consideration." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in taking in every detail of the apartment. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding strength." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than fatally injured? any." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found people don't know." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What will you do, then?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'Most admirably.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of upon the sideboard." ago." "And I." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "That is possible." "And I say east," said my patient. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the room?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof system of imprisonment?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Not particularly." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a second." papers on the sundial.'" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "He disappeared so suddenly." tightly behind him. that I am arrested." this unhappy family?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Certainly." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his as noiselessly as she had come. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "The best possible." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Yes?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had My friend smiled. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town stalked out of the room. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to-night's adventure." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'You cannot say what it was?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Yes. He waved his hands." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Yes, he did." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face rat could hardly pass through." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. sofa. This way, please!" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of a light. "Will you go?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I will not look." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, be best to do. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And the murderer?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded some water from a caraffe. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and mystery." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have cigar and let me expound." copied or distributed: heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the questioning and rather startled gaze. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "How often?" followed. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "That is easily got." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." which was all perfectly true. views." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Frequently." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. purpose of examination. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What will you say?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of carriage. It was a chestnut." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "But you can know nothing of this?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can most interesting one." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Has he come with you to-night?" "Seven!" I answered. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the