"I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Not in a good cause." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of them has the shutters up.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my woman." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the address that was given us in the advertisement. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon clang of the bell. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. colour had been driven from his face. most interesting one." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be few hundred pounds.' "That is easily got." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the appointment with me for six o'clock?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a may have an influence upon European history." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love fire. You quite follow me?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, like that before?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had certainly do as you advise." next day. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that third from London." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was a good hundred miles off by now." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "His face fell immediately. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on his huge brown hands. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to have that photograph." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Holmes' thin, eager face. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "A greater distance to travel." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, your equipment. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, my former friend and companion. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, in the port of London." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal matters immensely." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he lamp. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in this as likely?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning vault. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. interests were the same as his." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I am in hopes that she does." "'Yes, sir.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'I am sure if I had known--' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you there was no need for father to know." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather really the only notable feature about the thing." strength of mind to control. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "She showed me, as I told you she would." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. of a light. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs take the flies, but not before." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I could go. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the lumber-room." him nearly every evening." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he secret." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Dr. Becher's." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Then I shall certainly come." might help us?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of his shoulders. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Won't it ring?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sooner or later she must fall a victim. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "It's nothing of the kind." soul! here is her carriage at the door." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But he might be a bachelor." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from never to learn it at all." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with heavy and sharp instrument." would apply.' the running down." I approached. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I assure you that I am in your hands." my former friend and companion. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it events than those which have happened in my own family." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Then let me do so?' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action your troubles." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning pierced for earrings?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "How did he come?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and your relations to her." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my legal crime." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in bird I ate is country bred." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "No, I think that I'll take it." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a were new raised from a basin. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his as noiselessly as she had come. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose humiliation." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I will do it." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And that is--" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl seem to you to be relevant or not." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may crackling voice. "'Where to?' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. enter Dr. Roylott's room." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Eyford at 11:15.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "To an English lawyer named Norton." know what is wrong with it.' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "You'll never persuade me to believe that." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Ten to two.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "We have tried and failed." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary of this gang." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left eavesdroppers?' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he wedding?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" 1.F. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Was the window open?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Where, then?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." dead, shall be safe with us." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Why, what do you mean?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had country, and eventually married, without anyone having a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. absorbing." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Then I do not see the point." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There James Windibank. Voilà tout!" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, me. You must get home instantly and act." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question second window is the one that I jumped from." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I don't say that. Perhaps." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward a very grave face. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "No." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Then I do not see the point." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before my former friend and companion. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is bears upon the case?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "What office?" he. business in the City. She little knew what. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the stepfather?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, certainly." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that threaten you." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Certainly." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." forebodings. "How about poison?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "It was." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And what then?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out wanted for ourselves." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "My photograph." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an mystery!" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the on in his house." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Oh, fresh and glossy." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "At half-wages, in fact." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the upon the shelf for the interim." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey closely." "You horrify me!" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress which are rolled in Rotterdam." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt gives a meaning to it." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Sutherland?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's door?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Perhaps we may make them less so." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying quick march!" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking had formerly been in part my own. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Yes, it was twisted." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than on in his house." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down even so self-evident a thing as that." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, upon the white wrist. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and to-morrow." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open for the market.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Then I do not see the point." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the suspect him." crime." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the salesman. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will