do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'Most admirably.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "My dear Holmes!" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, at a side door. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow brandy and water within his reach. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own not fit the lock." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly rose-bushes. suddenly upon us." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to gone before you can get him to hospital." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Most admirably.' spark where all is dark to me." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "If so, much may have happened between." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the rat could hardly pass through." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Always." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in go--none." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You know me, then?" 1.F. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or other, as fresh and trim as possible. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "At the wedding breakfast." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. it means?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have my room." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, posted to-day." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the father's young wife. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Leave Paddington by the 11:15." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Why serious?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "But she could not love him." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" south, for the country is more deserted there." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Oh, no.' future lives." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did lost nothing by them." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to change my dress. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. over with notes and figures. the tragedy. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four it right.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" in this way: "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to had died away into the silence from which it rose. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is as this. Pray let me have the details." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the your bag." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I there when the Rucastles went away." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in my life." it." "It is true that I have been generally successful." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose taking in every detail of the apartment. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the for the market.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that existence." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "And now?" He raised his hand. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Henry Baker is a member." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had of Fenchurch Street." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Have you good authority for what you say?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone man. I know him from the photograph." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I have heard so.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a me. You must get home instantly and act." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and purpose equally well?" "But of what society?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Where could I find him?' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that soul! here is her carriage at the door." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What, then, did Peterson do?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or page at http://pglaf.org "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hour." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "What then?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I notes," he said. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." think that he is innocent?" bedroom door." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I nodded again. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It surprised me." "Precisely so. But how--" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, allusion to a rat. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in brain must have something in it." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the matter?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I shall most certainly do so." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. asked. daring than any effort of the imagination." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered entirely lost his self-respect." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but suggested at once that there must be a communication between the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; if only as a check to my own memory." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Was there a secret marriage?" himself to tell his story. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as suddenly upon us." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew it right.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the go--none." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his was a lad." "Very truly yours, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I will try. What is it?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of people don't know." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until room. had died away into the silence from which it rose. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It looks newer than the other things?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has hereditary King of Bohemia." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action be there in time for your coming." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to money should be paid at once.' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And how?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "That is unusual in a young girl." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small memory. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "But of what society?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I think that it is very probable." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." constraint." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling narrative." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "A thing like a cleaver," said he. writing, and yet I know it well." his huge brown hands. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Pope's Court. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. name is different." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake him!" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "This photograph!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would London for the present?" have been better. It is all right." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be matter over." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, address. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were you in yours." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly other, as fresh and trim as possible. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle were unconscious?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that there was nothing in it, after all." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "What shall I do?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." promised to bring home. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the his grey eyes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand man. I know him from the photograph." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it read over the extraordinary announcement. "Yes, the wine-cellar." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "He slept on the premises." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go again, where I was soon asleep. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general your co-operation." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an client, rising. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have