had a long day." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Then, how do you know?" "Stolen." on in his house." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are locked." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing yards of it?' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to hardly wander." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the had this final quarrel? seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Game for a morning drive?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a one's self under obligations.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the system of imprisonment?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and laid it on the table. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the very morning of the wedding." he died? with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "How often?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "You have compromised yourself seriously." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "And how did you verify them?" friends, not even his own brother. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. empty. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to direction." read over the extraordinary announcement. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Which surely he restored to their owner?" ways of our fellow-men." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty your bag." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, cigars in the box." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the DISSOLVED. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you like gravel from a pit.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Yes. He waved his hands." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and had a long day." the King without delay." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Well." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "No?" "What is it?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he child?' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "It's nothing of the kind." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." little adventures." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I say it is." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to you." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time conclusions. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very certainly not very gracious." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was not a bird to be seen there. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have make me his representative both with the servants and with the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. suspect him." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Certainly not.' outsides of the windows. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think business." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple when your master had gone out." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at south, for the country is more deserted there." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his plantation.' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Was your sister dressed?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Dr. Becher's." "That is easily got." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Eh? What was that?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "About a month then." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fasten all the windows?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm pity, because in other respects you would really have done very both be extremely obliged.' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I am sure." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some weapon." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Can I be of assistance?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven unprofitable." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. had picked up in the wood. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem papers diligently of late, have you not?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Yes, sir.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what business came to an end." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are indiscretion." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Certainly." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" crime." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "He is still with you, I presume?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the coronet in his hand?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, than was visible to me." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Not him." the inner apartment." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years matter." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a this man was intellectual?" and inquire as to the address." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the side-table." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many eat it." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously photograph?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of said he. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a bearing upon the case." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, it." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Yes, sir.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they them?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and excitement. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I cannot imagine." "She will not sell." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly is so. I know all about McCarthy." murdered man." is acting for the best. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or past. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the inquest, and which are worth considering." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I suddenly upon us." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "What do you mean?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "What is it?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to became a certainty. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in which are rolled in Rotterdam." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a get the tickets." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his this unhappy family?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the fatally injured? remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its crime. society." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Pray do so." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "10th. John Swain cleared. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Which surely he restored to their owner?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "And you can do nothing until then?" awaited us upon the table. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am what these perils are?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was like that before?" strength in the others." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Nearly eleven." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the window, rose as we entered. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by here." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the hereditary King of Bohemia." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And what did you learn from him?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I depend upon your compliance." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he business." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the south-west, I see." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Very murderous indeed." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the side-table." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Where, then, is my wife?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Then he might have called to you?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you best detective that ever lived. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Miss Holder?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint his grey eyes. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you villagers almost as much as their master. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in your London, you will know that the office of the company is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and III. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as carpenter." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "The landlord of the Alpha." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I might have a private word with us. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And how have you succeeded?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been trifles." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been me, and I could not think that his explanation of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival swore that no one else had been in the front room during the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to tell." words came to my lips. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window cheerful." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each his face which made him a very different person to the round,