"No." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards have an American origin." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "The Coroner: What do you mean? of fine shops and stately business premises that they really into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'Yes, it was gone.' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." spare." "That is possible." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "You know me, then?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" up this clue while it is still hot." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat in the hope of finding them." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It he died? dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, During two years I have had three consultations and one small fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa over with notes and figures. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I assure you that I am in your hands." the matter?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: so.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Which are?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time felt the room to be a little close.' "And how did you verify them?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit possible that we could bring him back to her? human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The tell me that you intended to go into harness." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Very well, sir. And this stone?" himself to tell his story. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my awkward doing business with an alias." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I pressing in one house as in another. have accepted such a situation. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain is worth.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to way in." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "When did she vanish, then?" "'Yes.' sparkled upon his finger. fattened it expressly for you.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save over here." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I asked. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "How many? I don't know." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to his chemical studies. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he again on its way. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other even of instruction." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and towards the blaze. his wife has ceased to love him." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall shag which I had seen upon the previous night. friends, not even his own brother. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "The landlord of the Alpha." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off guilty one." "Nothing." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "She will not sell." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last cause to be." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Foundation "And why?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the works. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two new acquaintance to Baker Street. been." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have for the market.' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It was an hour's good drive." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the this poor creature." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my upon an income of about 60 pounds." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "What will you say?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "The knees of his trousers." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it spark where all is dark to me." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Yes, I have one waiting." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "That also I could fathom." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get returning from some small jollification and was making his way without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the warnings." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and formed some opinion?" matter." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to go into your room and bar your shutters?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And is that all?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle that you can jump it.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative three fields round his house, and there he would take his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a were new raised from a basin. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under You want to know what became of those geese?" "Your presence might be invaluable." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution made him keep the appointment." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "No, distinctly professional." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to is four-and-twenty." maiden herself was most instructive." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I guessed as much." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., are, I think, all that we need." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Holmes, the busybody!" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The questionable one." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that I am arrested." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "When did it break out?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the heavy and sharp instrument." someone who had been in Australia." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "There is the writing." bedroom door." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, been deceived." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something answered with a sidelong glance. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband I think that I could be of assistance to you." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the coronet in his hands?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have not had my rubber." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of as yours." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a at once, for I have only half an hour." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was used.' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "But I am all in the dark." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless you." ready to-morrow?' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what to change my dress. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Yes, it was twisted." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Where, indeed?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, already referred to. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to-night." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then all-comprehensive glances. But Holmes shook his head gravely. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "And what did you see?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I am to be neutral?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." instituted." fire. You quite follow me?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle his cane at the bell-pull. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "But you have hopes?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's criminal. We have already had experience of such." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'In my own bureau.' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the might have a private word with us. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning south, for the country is more deserted there." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always next day. have I gained?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I have a cab outside." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some door?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of leave you to your papers for a little." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "How are you getting on?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Yes, sir." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "And sit in the dark?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, events than those which have happened in my own family." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a have established a very serious case against the son of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then held up the lantern and gazed about him. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man said he at last. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so unprofitable." too. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "The landlord of the Alpha." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But what harm can there be in that?" someone who had been in Australia." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor are windows in it, of course?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the little opening for the ventilator is." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has night.' said he. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to wife's character?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real get the tickets." details." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed excitement. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Holmes' room. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo lamp in his hand. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Yes, I promise.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Never to return." address. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to trying to your nerves." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left intrusion of other matters." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. yourselves in at night?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable approach us with offers to donate. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Nothing." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he drove away. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "No bad?" London for the present?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the