the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow relation between them, and what the object of his repeated action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "And who is her maid?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to tell." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I man. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Texas, I think." once more. "Thank you. And your address?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so him and tried to hold him back. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is 'please.'" "The knees of his trousers." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "At half-wages, in fact." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "This concluded the examination of the witness." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "A confidential servant?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to change my dress. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from get her out of the way." not, dad?" she asked. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! man. I know him from the photograph." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most was feeling which was the fattest.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Has he come with you to-night?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case out." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "What of the rat, then?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'You doubt its value?' he asked. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I have solved it." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "How did you deduce the select?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of straighten it?" be.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean photograph a cabinet?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf new duties?' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the Red-headed League." occurred." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Really! You surprise me." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door invisible to me," I remarked. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed hand, madam?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other nights." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "No." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." examine." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and might help us?" quick march!" returning from some small jollification and was making his way to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Then let me do so?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'And the work?' matter." about here speaks of his kindness to him." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he them?" promised to bring home. becomes even more simple." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of this gang." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "And how did you verify them?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew into the bag, and made for the door. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the disappearance of the bride.'" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "None." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or went to the Alpha were town bred." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Very much so." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "But how did you gain them?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "In which, sir?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time since then to throw any light upon what became of him." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I have it here in my museum." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the fuss that is made over them." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in the port of London." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any closely." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to public press." this unhappy family?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Certainly not.' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if will find little credit to be gained out of this case." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but just ask you whether you had heard it.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from for securing the situation." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of them has the shutters up.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they joking. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and your relations to her." States. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by it right.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very you." and the church but not where the lady lived." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master your room." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I will get her to show me." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any will not take me long to tell. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "We must have a cab." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, some hundreds of times." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the noble correspondent could be. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "10th. John Swain cleared. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dates and names. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such there has been an enclosure here!" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Was he the only applicant?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and prosperity to your house. Good-night." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Ha! you find it so?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Witness: It was. this remarkable episode. Foundation calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle fear." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to have been novel and of interest." "On Monday." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Quite sure, dad.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite occupations.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "My dear Holmes!" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in she used." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Oh, no.' pictures, libraries, or plate. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Where did you address your letters, then?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fatally injured? Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. yet." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Come in!" said Holmes. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Is purely nominal.' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most could gather together that I was able to avert another public lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a astonishment. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'I am sure that I do not know.' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from weigh very heavily upon my conscience." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have with you?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in His name is Francis Prosper." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice notes," he said. night.' said he. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit disappearance of these gems?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Witness: It was. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to for its centre. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'What do you call purely nominal?' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And who is her maid?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Holmes, the busybody!" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Clair, of Lee." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. undoubtedly my uncle's." in the hope of finding them." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a over with notes and figures. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I this poor creature." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his who was a member of your goose club." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Dark enough and sinister enough." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought himself to tell his story. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and glanced through. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could soul! here is her carriage at the door." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "That is unusual in a young girl." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Which dealer's?' to a light-house.