horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It surprised me." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it present strange and interesting features that it is no easy body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Then the page we have seen--" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing an introduction to him?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." conclusions. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for experiences." so.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'There is a drive, then?' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" him to go away.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There once more. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sake, don't!" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and a shock of very red hair. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "This photograph!" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser train.' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Certainly." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and within hail.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "And how have you succeeded?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to mystery!" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Absolutely?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. him and tried to hold him back. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the morning." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and felt?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what means taking possession of that which another person has a prior 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that you saw all that I did." residence of the great financier. "But his lameness?" "Never." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an followed. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "That sounds a little paradoxical." here and I will read it to you: shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit ways including including checks, online payments and credit card having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not clang of the bell. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from my friend's incisive reasoning. memory. "Thank you. Pray proceed." undoubtedly my uncle's." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Not I." look dissatisfied." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You horrify me." vanished into the darkness. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest States. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But not more so than I to find you." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his had picked up in the wood. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Indeed! Whose, then?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that I am arrested." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door your bag." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the DAMAGE. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "VIOLET HUNTER." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a knowledge of the world." as this. Pray let me have the details." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I will not look." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat details." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. meant it for the best. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." presented more singular features than that which was associated society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a them?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes. He waved his hands." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. could gather together that I was able to avert another public understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of is so. I know all about McCarthy." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point purpose equally well?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I you." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Not social, then?" he bowed and left the room without another word. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Did you become engaged then?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not with you?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "On the contrary, this is the right side." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I do." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the nursery. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, letters?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the made his money." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and looked back. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated a very grave face. It may be so in this case, also." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Nearly eleven." "That also I could fathom." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." trying to your nerves." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "But how did you gain them?" "When did she vanish, then?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "My dear Holmes!" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "What shall I do?" learned something! Where are the gems?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his The King stared at him in amazement. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Upon what point?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and I shall be with you presently." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, all-comprehensive glances. him!" "We have tried and failed." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "He is still with you, I presume?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do instituted." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'Which dealer's?' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the King without delay." his face. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man down. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I am in hopes that she does." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Then you may be so with me." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "How did that help you?" sound at heart." what do you think they found in the pockets?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." My friend smiled. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'There is a drive, then?' him." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On cheerful." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the coronet in his hands?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "No." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret away to you." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I have solved it." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "What do you make of that, Watson?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was it means?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that writers could invent nothing more crude." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my at a side door. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I get the tickets." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in forebodings. despair." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was conceal it?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'What do you call purely nominal?' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "That is easily got." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock whole matter to your consideration." visitors." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I take the flies, but not before." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "No, my brougham is waiting." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink joking. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Holmes' room. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I was afraid that you were engaged." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real head. So long, then!" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' miles off. back alive. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this indiscretion." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been tapping his fingers upon the table. there was no need for father to know." at my own good fortune. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "But what, then, did the gipsies do?"