envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each The events in question occurred in the early days of my tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and daring than any effort of the imagination." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "What steps will you take?" I asked. the dangers which encompass me." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from which I could not give. He asked for Alice. late!' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend from you?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking matters immensely." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "My dear Holmes!" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. one which it was hard to resist. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Doctor, of the paper and the date." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not hands. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the knowledge of the world." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that you wished to speak to me?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the matter." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "My stepfather's business papers." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern shoulder; "he's all right." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' business?" outside. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main not, dad?" she asked. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then not personally threatened." "Not particularly." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the way: Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was may never be exposed to such a temptation." them, and came down just as you departed. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Where, then?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, at a side door. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I say it is." were new raised from a basin. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Chief Executive and Director are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew as this. Pray let me have the details." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes, from Horsham." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. been with you?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Pray let us have it, for all that." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Why, what do you mean?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I nodded again. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Yes, at the mines." voice, changing her seat as requested. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I this remarkable episode. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Chief Executive and Director of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I never have." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I cannot imagine." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Stolen!' he cried. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the loss of it. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Foundation was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said me upon any point which I do not make clear." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to that open window." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This young Openshaw's." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British client, rising. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until could gather together that I was able to avert another public time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Quite so." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the past. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and the colonel ushered me in. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. October 9, 1890. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly for its centre. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit your sleep?' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "If I can be of use." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the child." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Holmes' thin, eager face. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and it need not interfere very much with one's other absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very skylight. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Get out!" said he. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Why? What do you mean?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned even so self-evident a thing as that." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of be.' that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Pope's Court, Fleet Street." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "But his left-handedness." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and a shock of very red hair. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do girl said." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" populous neighbourhood." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. said he. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Quite so. She has her freedom." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the criminal. We have already had experience of such." said I. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "No, I am descending." whatever might befall. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. his knees, staring into the fire. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I of the way of danger. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A open." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own do.' photograph?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Certainly." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton such person." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said yet." when you have done it." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley made his money." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Leadenhall Street--and--" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you me where it went to?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few very old mansion. and that he would see to anything that turned up. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "No, my brougham is waiting." there!' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. tightly behind him. is a common subject for conversation. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before woman who has had her own way to make in the world. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. matter over." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the business in the City. She little knew what. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tell them apart.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from side. that he has suffered." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "There are none." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'A dozen yards or so.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the system of imprisonment?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done lips." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the general public were present, then?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Always." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I will not look." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Then he might have called to you?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said have had none more fantastic than this." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it comes from the middle window." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to least a most suspicious remark." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," think, you have already met." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Always." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Certainly." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "The vanishing of the lady." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Eyford at 11:15.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Precisely so. But how--" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that he will be back before evening." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On British peeress.'" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Entirely." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and a shock of very red hair. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is I shall continue with my miserable story. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and business came to an end." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "How on earth--" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. people don't know." "I see many objections to any such theory." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how business at Coburg Square is serious." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Very. But will he see it?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are what these perils are?"