to-night's adventure." article?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with corner of the building. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "But I am all in the dark." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual your only hope of safety." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he chambers. was a loud and authoritative tap. "Nothing." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. really the only notable feature about the thing." bill, which interests me deeply." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "And your mother is alive?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "No good news?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It goes to the housekeeper's room." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "But what harm can there be in that?" said I. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Not particularly." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from from the brougham. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And your mother is alive?" dramatic, in fact." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I shall use the carriage to-night." "That is possible." despair." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "9th. McCauley cleared. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, be best to do. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I have a cab outside." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "By no means." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Precisely." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "And how in the world did you find them?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" less than 26s. 4d. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was meant." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came village inn over there?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call could go. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Witness: I must still refuse. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fled together." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora union?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a tear off another piece?' woven round him. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Ample.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. matter over." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Where to?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after him and tried to hold him back. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "My last client of the sort was a king." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell woven round him. towards the blaze. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally What do you deduce from it?" man. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "So I have heard." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then business?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the key of the affair now." "You saw the ventilator, too?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if are windows in it, of course?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you unprofitable." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened other lovers by making love himself." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. them?" it." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "My private note-paper." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. long narrative. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. rose-bushes. some water from a caraffe. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "No, thank goodness, she did not." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." newspaper selections." round and wave him away like that.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to confronted him. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and observed. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the driver. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "And that is--" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself question you as to those details which seem to me to be most followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the warnings." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited brandy and water within his reach. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "One?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the call it cruel." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to remarked. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner golden eyeglasses. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "When did it break out?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you heavy and sharp instrument." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, nonsense.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. chill to my heart. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham own family. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "What of the rat, then?" "How did you deduce the select?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The tear off another piece?' leave you to your papers for a little." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Which dealer's?' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I breakfast?" as the one I chose?' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "They are typewritten," I remarked. "But she will refuse." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they which we had just quitted. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. colour had been driven from his face. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" do.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Then let me do so?' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to meanly of me." thin legs towards the fire. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more papers must be those that are destroyed.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Witness: I must still refuse. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in with the outside air!" "The doctor?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than more terrible than the truth. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "No." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his knees, staring into the fire. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project undoubtedly my uncle's." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to newspaper selections." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" are, I think, all that we need." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a carried out of court." "And for present expenses?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted for its centre. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its attention." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Certainly." "I would give my fortune to have them back." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a see me here to avoid scandal." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in is worth.' the coronet at all injured?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior bill, which interests me deeply." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was shining brightly. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly advice." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But we can't all be." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "We must sit without light. He would see it through the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little where Mr. Fordham shows you.' way in." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Not him." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Holmes." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest chemical work which was so dear to him. you?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from fuss that is made over them." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been nights." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "No." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have breakfast?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He in one or two places in England?' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as rose-bushes. union?" "No, I had a dozen." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'It is locked up,' I answered. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than miles off. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees amused." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady enough to aid us in our search." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. conclusions. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his there." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Very much so." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Certainly." burst out into a roar of laughter. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the loss of it. Holmes' thin, eager face. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I was sure that I might rely on you." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It's nothing of the kind." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I looking up at the numbers of the houses." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate heavily into it. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'What, the red-headed man?' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Not him." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up confronted him. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police straightened it out again. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Not him." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Witness: Nothing definite. and capable of preserving a secret.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut to change my dress. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it your Highness to the police-station?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that there was nothing in it, after all." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Where to?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her always that they were such commands as a lady might with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "It's nothing of the kind." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Mary, has deserted me." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of the vacancies.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he