bearing upon the case." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little national property. I was determined that the law should have its may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the warnings." go--none." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning back alive. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the acquaintance?" noting anything else of interest. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "But not more so than I to find you." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and no precautions can guard against." "About a month then." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "On the contrary, this is the right side." soul! here is her carriage at the door." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "What will you do, then?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the driver. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Surrey." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon likely to be some crony of the landlady's." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably chance at all." "Precisely." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the an introduction to him?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. second." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "You have but to name it." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do these bleak autumnal evenings." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "What can you not understand?" keep the flames under. voice, changing her seat as requested. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain public press." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Yes." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to a light-house. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and answered with a sidelong glance. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of views." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Never." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and your relations to her." Foundation he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked crime. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each help us in this matter." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You heard nothing yourself last night?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of campaign. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Just look it up, then." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of beg that you will break it off." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and that he would see to anything that turned up. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in his power. certainly not very gracious." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." disturbance in my wife." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a legal crime." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the weighed down with some great anxiety. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Texas, I think." remarked. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Nothing." Sholtos." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I was sure that I might rely on you." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life rat could hardly pass through." noting anything else of interest. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I think it very unlikely." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "The best possible." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the drawing your inferences." yards of it?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out as noiselessly as she had come. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four even so self-evident a thing as that." morning." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Yes, it was gone.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'How far from the body?' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I came to find a friend." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." signal between you and your father? disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Watson," he said cordially. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "It was a confession," I ejaculated. salesman. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "No." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that disappearance of the bride.'" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I companion quietly. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Nothing?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, when you have done it." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Where did you address your letters, then?" train.' only touch the interest." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "She will not sell." reach." go back?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this vague figure huddled up in the darkness. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a she might be summoned. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But to whom?" "'Never,' said I. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the date of his supposed suicide." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my you?' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the such attractions and accomplishments?' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate must compliment you." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. brain must have something in it." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, window when the police appeared." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some standing smiling on the door-step. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, my friend's incisive reasoning. "Ah!" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up some place of shelter and let the county police know what has in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there figure." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Holmes rather sternly. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, problems help me to do so." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. point in the dark hollow of his hand. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "One of the highest in England." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and I shall be with you presently." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And why in hopes?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But we can't all be." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece throat." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the friends, not even his own brother. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Stolen." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it your equipment. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of nonsense.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of it right.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and put his glass in his pocket. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his here." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not personally threatened." "Not him." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon furiously. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "And that is--" "Nothing?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much annoyance, but no jest. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Was there a secret marriage?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us was used.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "No. What a strange idea!" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Frequently." "Yes, sir." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You are hungry," I remarked. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a note?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Nothing?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "My opinion is in no way altered." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And who is her maid?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'Certainly not. But why?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who subject to the trademark license, especially commercial (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered been able to understand it, in a very few words. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was already answered. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And the cigar-holder?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of His smile broadened. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black think you a quite exceptional woman." the dangers which encompass me." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose disturbance in my wife." third from London." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you morning." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "In answer to an advertisement." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of cheerful." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Game for a morning drive?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "He said that you could solve anything." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My