"And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could that you saw all that I did." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent beg that you will break it off." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "By all means." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the you?' "Then, how do you know?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few here." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in was it brought him the coronet? should be taken.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one followed. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "You forget that I know nothing about it." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official what these perils are?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Then how many are there?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with chance." her also." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love again." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Precisely." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." hurried away. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase our word." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "The doctor?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not, dad?" she asked. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at home. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, conclusions. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to side. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I shall continue with my miserable story. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Oh, yes, easily." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And how in the world did you find them?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It is true that I have been generally successful." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Not social, then?" "'Never.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I do not see the point." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "None." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his thirty. "Then what has happened to him?" "Bought." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. intrusion of other matters." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but I held the little printed slip to the light. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him more solid." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "What!" he roared. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes, from Horsham." "How do you know, then?" look upon these things in a different way." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the me." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What is it, then--a fire?" as yours." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "This concluded the examination of the witness." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not presented which may be striking and bizarre without being carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was passage and a tap at the door. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. highly," said Holmes. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Do you go out much in society?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "It must be recovered." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to she might be summoned. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an London for the present?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Street. over part of the map. "What do you read?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the works. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "And you can do nothing until then?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "That is not always so easy." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I would give my fortune to have them back." before, for it was considerably after midnight. a very grave face. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." legal crime." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be light and attacked it." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Then the page we have seen--" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers occurred." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He without success. At last the little money which I had saved began after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are at once, for I have only half an hour." "Absolutely none." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "You have it, sir, just as it happened." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the it right.' bell. Holmes whistled. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Street. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "She showed me, as I told you she would." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in digesting their breakfasts at home." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not morning." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, there are nearly always some there." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton indiscretion." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. depend upon my doing so.' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It is very kind of you." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I am all attention, madam." woman." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" present." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "How on earth--" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Seven!" I answered. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had learned something! Where are the gems?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her any more." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." will be renamed. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. prisoner's face. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found companion quietly. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I promise," said Holmes. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings during which he might have communicated with his friend the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little whatever might befall. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Here?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand there." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old main points of my analysis." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have an American origin." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." have had none more fantastic than this." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the experiences." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must that you wished to speak to me?' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the King without delay." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the Red-headed League." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Then, how do you know?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Then what has happened to him?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the address that was given us in the advertisement. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to voice, changing her seat as requested. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, formed some opinion?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the salesman. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If matter over." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' results." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You were travelling in the States?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And how in the world did you find them?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Munro.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of me upon any point which I do not make clear." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. newspaper selections." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "None. Neville wrote those words." here." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "By all means." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had