"Ah, but I was recommended to you." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the inquest, and which are worth considering." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "How are you getting on?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic suddenly upon us." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You saw the ventilator, too?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in suddenly upon us." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "That's no good." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. might help us?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "What! Had he lost his wife?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. his fortune, and I went back to pa. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." as the one I chose?' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not clanging. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce started for the Temple to see my husband. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with were new raised from a basin. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is suddenly upon us." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining friend's singular character. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from at my own good fortune. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, amused." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And who is her maid?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "It came here." "No sign of it?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "What of the rat, then?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his wedding?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Where to?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., against a man in the prime of life?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared tension within him. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "When did it break out?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and wait." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Did you become engaged then?" "Murdered?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A he bowed and left the room without another word. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason one which it was hard to resist. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies feature." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a time." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, new acquaintance to Baker Street. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "In heaven's name, what for?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with anything to do with the matter?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You don't mind breaking the law?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little it? Did I buy the geese off you?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he yards of it?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "At the wedding breakfast." "The best possible." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of call you and give you the chance." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I am all attention, madam." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. prepare for the new role I have to play." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily take the flies, but not before." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Why that?' I asks. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other confronted him. "You have compromised yourself seriously." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "My dear Holmes!" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told locked. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "He is still with you, I presume?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you address. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the ceiling. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box mystery!" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "But we can't all be." "But it has twice been burgled." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? foresight and the moral retrogression?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'And the work?' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You horrify me!" "How did you trace it, then?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "But how?" "What then?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving security.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'And what salary do you ask?' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and your relations to her." late!' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock hardly wander." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "There is the writing." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, upon an income of about 60 pounds." the roots. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he nice household for a young lady." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "It is a murder, then?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always politicians who had been sent down from the North. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the so-precious time, but come!' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Heh?' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with whereabouts. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Then I do not see the point." gone. congratulate you again." take the flies, but not before." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman me what he had done with the three missing stones. "The Cedars?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came once more to my work. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried father's place of business?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with help us in this matter." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing in my life." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his both be extremely obliged.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'Ample.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I will try. What is it?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." case-book, which he consulted. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the gbnewby@pglaf.org to me. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the again." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Is he quiet?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he depend upon my doing so.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "It must be recovered." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "ARAT," I read. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his relief. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every amused." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I guessed as much." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I never have." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to-night's adventure." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there your only hope of safety." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. copied or distributed: "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Of what day?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "On the contrary, this is the right side." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was your billet.' said he. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the for its centre. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed entirely lost his self-respect." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after dramatic, in fact." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" asked with his eyes open. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with have got?" second." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I cannot think." will he say when he returns?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an answered with a sidelong glance. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You horrify me." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding disturbance in my wife." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And from a noble client?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of distinguish the words: but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It was an hour's good drive." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Who by?" of campaign. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I would pay ten." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its disappearance of these gems?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes His smile broadened. "Yes." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar in this note: her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "You have compromised yourself seriously." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would very peculiar words of the dying woman?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my remarked. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent