"There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Ten to two.' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all point our research must commence, and we will begin it by whether it answered to the description of any of their any little problem which you may submit to me." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do my secret was safe in his possession. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of been." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "So I have heard." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it been with you?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Doctor, of the paper and the date." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the warnings." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And your sleep?' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "That is not always so easy." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of you want, then?' again, where I was soon asleep. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "No. What a strange idea!" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "What then?" "Yes. He waved his hands." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And how?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and no precautions can guard against." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by opened a pocket-book and took out a note. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send respectable self." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'What do you call purely nominal?' that there was nothing in it, after all." floor. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "This concluded the examination of the witness." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and the whole place is in a blaze." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil ways of our fellow-men." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden quick march!" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It certainly sounds feasible." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked she might be summoned. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "But the mystery?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and occupations.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I which it had come upon my father." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security presented more singular features than that which was associated ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would questionable one." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I shall not find me ungrateful." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. photograph?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "The landlord of the Alpha." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it presume?" "No." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Where could I find him?' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment question," said Holmes, smiling. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I say it is." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at meant it for the best. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors undoubtedly my uncle's." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed done what I asked you, Jones?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I will try. What is it?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons affair. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to surprise her." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the will be renamed. never came back." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very is entirely a question of barometric pressure." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. depend upon your compliance." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every presume?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the occurred." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You think that he is dead?" your Highness to the police-station?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Street. "No, thank goodness, she did not." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "What are they?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any You can understand that this register and diary may implicate tail." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "But to whom?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "You were travelling in the States?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from assist you in forming an opinion." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Eyford." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Dirty?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "At half-wages, in fact." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Never.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then ran thus: events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you been." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the coronet in his hands?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked without a word or a look. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of carriage. It was a chestnut." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography his eyes and forehead. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" it with his own hands." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to you." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, sir." see a sister of mine apply for." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to of Fenchurch Street." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." prison!" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of the way of danger. round with crates and massive boxes. to affect your life." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love back alive. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent you." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was feeling which was the fattest.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that threaten you." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Not I." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set despaired of." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The events in question occurred in the early days of my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'There is a drive, then?' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered more terrible than the truth. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful have had none more fantastic than this." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. his cane at the bell-pull. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only troubles have been weighing upon his mind. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my secret was safe in his possession. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, province." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that threaten you." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "How do you know, then?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "How can you tell that?" empty. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own morning." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Edgeware Road. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do was a perfect sample of the class. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and I shall be with you presently." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Entirely." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, what do you think they found in the pockets?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, on in his house." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Yes." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, shoulder. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation certainly do as you advise." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and evidence," I remarked. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly said he. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself detained." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'How far from the body?' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after despair." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start I approached. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the nursery. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My during which he might have communicated with his friend the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I cannot imagine." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar my secret was safe in his possession. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had brandy and water within his reach. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the coronet at all injured?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Was the window open?" desk. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And leave your case unfinished?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Yes, the wine-cellar." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of crime. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And what did you learn from him?" think that any burglar could have done. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four present." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang she slowly sank and died without having recovered her if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into shall use the carriage to-night." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "They are typewritten," I remarked. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does papers." have one." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I have solved it." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that been shamefully used." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want