Sholtos." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See my former friend and companion. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As golden eyeglasses. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You did not overhear what they said?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Dirty?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." few hundred pounds.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. strong and stiff." generous with you in money matters.' started for the Temple to see my husband. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "It is his hat." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Entirely.' in a friendly supper." emerged. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the keep the flames under. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Was the window open?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a quite distinctive." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "But you were on a friendly footing?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Won't it ring?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Who was the criminal, then?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged are windows in it, of course?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a fashion which was peculiar to him. "I see many objections to any such theory." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in will he say when he returns?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." he bowed and left the room without another word. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post anything to do with the matter?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat like that before?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given of this gang." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And how have you succeeded?" awaited us upon the table. may have an influence upon European history." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lips." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds examination of the premises, but without finding anything which sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the if she died from some sudden fright." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that could not have written that. It is the German who is so by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "No, I think that I'll take it." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "But his left-handedness." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Could he throw no light?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed rose-bushes. indiscretion." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey look upon these things in a different way." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob good for you to do.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" tail." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself hurried by. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a you in your example." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute troubles have been weighing upon his mind. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. legal crime." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You know me, then?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the papers on the sundial.'" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fled together." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Is he quiet?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the coronet in his hands?" "'I have heard so.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their events, Mr. Windibank!" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." occurred." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and nothing with him." disappearance of the bride.'" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Not social, then?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Where to?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I arrangements." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is as yours." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Come in!" said he. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "If I can be of use." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from fear." him and tried to hold him back. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and disturbance in my wife." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." The summons was a brief and urgent one. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Yes." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the nursery. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your said Mr. Holder. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Eh? What was that?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Not yet." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "What! You do not mean bodies?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It certainly sounds feasible." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." stalked out of the room. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "What can it mean?" I gasped. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Her father is very rich?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be long narrative. envelope. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Nor running a chance of arrest?" house for five minutes.' 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told laugh and put his lips to my ear. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "You horrify me!" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the coronet in his hand?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was enter into my head. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You will not go there first?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "He said too much." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. records." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more here and I will read it to you: any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I assure you that I am in your hands." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and files of the old papers, following the future career of every before the coroner and the police-court." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was new acquaintance to Baker Street. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." dramatic, in fact." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been she might be summoned. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low This is what he says: he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the stones. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "But how could you guess what the motive was?" been shamefully used." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "In the cells." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "If I can be of use." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have could not have written that. It is the German who is so advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I brain must have something in it." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And from a noble client?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "But your client--" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your allusion to a rat. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Tell me all about it,' said I. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Leadenhall Street--and--" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more murdered man." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying mysterious end." of his shoulders. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and thirty. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped our word." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual them, and came down just as you departed. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the noble correspondent could be. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and the colonel ushered me in. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and capable of preserving a secret.' the very morning of the wedding." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. you." following enigmatical notices: occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Where, then, is my wife?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You will not go there first?" "He said that you could solve anything." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely way in everything. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Her father is very rich?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether thin legs towards the fire. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. business at Coburg Square is serious." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "One of his hands." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Very. But will he see it?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'And the work?' again." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. was used.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are ready to-morrow?' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never this Miss Turner." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Witness: It was. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "That was it, sir." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone of." on re-entering her father's house?" vanished into the darkness. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made your room." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was soul! here is her carriage at the door." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Why, what do you mean?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hour?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but