this truth that in these little records of our cases which you going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It is a murder, then?" thirty. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." allusion to a rat. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm room. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "There is the writing." empty. call it cruel." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa few hundred pounds.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the me what he had done with the three missing stones. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and straightened it out again. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Yes." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Pray let us have it, for all that." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "She told me to ask you." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. then?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "The rest you will leave in our hands." prison!" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of Mr. Rucastle's." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'There is a drive, then?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a British peeress.'" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Munro.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us be best to do. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the waste of energy." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Of what day?" delighted to hear it," he said. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the one as in the other." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "But your client--" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, figure." to Leatherhead. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I see many objections to any such theory." my room." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "A client, then?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. lips." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind asked. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Yes, it was gone.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my over here." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" You want to know what became of those geese?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "It is possible." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It is very clear." "And your father? Did you tell him?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "But what will you do?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "There is the writing." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No legal papers or certificates?" business came to an end." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Yes." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'A dozen yards or so.' served to weaken the effect. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "10th. John Swain cleared. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change woven round him. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I held the little printed slip to the light. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has then?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Gutenberg-tm License. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a little more before I quite committed myself. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR strong reason behind." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the invisible to me," I remarked. detective. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it on re-entering her father's house?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself from the brougham. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, as he folded up the epistle. "What are they?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came it." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "My private note-paper." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce me upon any point which I do not make clear." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "And the cigar-holder?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Of what day?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back said I. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Project Gutenberg-tm works. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" himself. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Absolutely none." fat-encircled eyes. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I fire. You quite follow me?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family quickly through a disagreeable task. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Of what?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so becomes even more simple." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was used.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, system of imprisonment?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I promise," said Holmes. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "How often?" "Game for a morning drive?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the where we are going." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You think that he is dead?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out corner of the building. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the narrative." know all about it," he snarled. "Whose house is it?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the guilty parties." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence strength of mind to control. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming tell him that I know him to be innocent." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "No." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. face and glided from the room. said I. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from friend's singular character. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "It is half-past ten now." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Never." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you guilty one." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me your most interesting statement." your co-operation." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the retorted upon me, and I on you." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated said Mr. Holder. enter into my head. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very problems help me to do so." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of suspect him." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the constraint." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, carriage. It was a chestnut." question. night.' said he. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You have the photograph?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Count Von Kramm." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Whose house is it?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Never to return." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a chance at all." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a within hail.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And you can do nothing until then?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you." this poor creature." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You are all wrong." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain heavy and sharp instrument." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to meanly of me." served to weaken the effect. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "He is dead," cried several voices. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, it would be as well." green of the new foliage. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be her also." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who lost nothing by them." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all with her." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day hard-headed British jury." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the was a perfect sample of the class. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A brandy and water within his reach. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was not a bird to be seen there. "Well, but China?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, his cane at the bell-pull. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "A greater distance to travel." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Countess of Morcar's?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most