The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the you understand?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Here?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "My dear Holmes!" some terrible trap for her." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Very. But will he see it?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed one of them." upon a handsome competence. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Countess of Morcar's?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "It is very kind of you." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are a monotonous occupation." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." never will be, entirely cleared up. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "But to whom?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." back alive. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. bearing upon the case." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "But your client--" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "How on earth--" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once little trying to do so much typewriting?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it bell. Holmes whistled. upon the white wrist. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But we can't all be." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled at home. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in this way: how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "It is possible." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. derbies." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg whole matter to your consideration." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret your troubles." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" McCarthy." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off nonsense.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation public press." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside this man was intellectual?" the child." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." even of instruction." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was noble correspondent could be. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she drove away. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he bonnet, and went out." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "We must sit without light. He would see it through the straightened it out again. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." outside. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I cannot tell." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off had this final quarrel? 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What shall I do?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Could he throw no light?" thin legs towards the fire. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "How long did she speak to this Alice?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." gone. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It is possible." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "It is possible." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would happened." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the devil!" there when the Rucastles went away." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all affection." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few observed. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my along the entire front of the house, with three long windows plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his money should be paid at once.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which passage and a tap at the door. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and that he would see to anything that turned up. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss electronic works passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become whole matter to your consideration." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of case before our client came into the room." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney imbecility!" he cried. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock himself to hunt down. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Her father is very rich?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "But how will you look?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the closely." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather at once, for I have only half an hour." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. said he. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, clanging. name is different." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I will get her to show me." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she matter over." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than brandy and water within his reach. girl said." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes. He waved his hands." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." depend upon my doing so.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the tragedy. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have better in every way that they should make their position a little whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Is purely nominal.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer public press." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to individual and becomes the badge of a society." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "By no means." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the bottom.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Not in a good cause." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. with you alone." our word." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his his face. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my her also." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood during that time.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "No." hard-headed British jury." "Yes." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "What then?" one which it was hard to resist. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make important." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I questioning and rather startled gaze. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to friend's singular character. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I leave." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you will take you up to see the machine.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a anything to do with the matter?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that you can jump it.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. observed. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. paper in the air. to change my dress. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Quite sure, dad.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you examine." yet." definite end. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "What then?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Quite so." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few side. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood such person." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have security.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were strong and stiff." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Countess of Morcar's?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "And your father? Did you tell him?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Yes, all." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he there were so many in the whole country as were brought together to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And that is--" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your neither fascinating nor artistic." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Her father is very rich?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "But how could you guess what the motive was?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said some place of shelter and let the county police know what has compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his of the way of danger. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Never." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to arrive at through this?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain tension within him. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was with frightened eyes at his accuser. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we But Holmes shook his head gravely. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from what do you think they found in the pockets?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw