"There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came easy-going way." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel train.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You are certainly joking, Holmes." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fact, we may call it conclusive." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us tell me that you intended to go into harness." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a served to weaken the effect. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "And how?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., done what I asked you, Jones?" then?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" page at http://pglaf.org "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Breckinridge is his name." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the it right.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in pierced for earrings?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of upon a handsome competence. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk seem to you to be relevant or not." of campaign. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Whose house is it?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have brain must have something in it." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I your own bird, so if you wish--" joking. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Not him." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took children over to America with him, so that I found myself without A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a detective. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sofa. This way, please!" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to not within a twentieth part of the market price." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the must compliment you." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project unkempt, staring out at me. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with your equipment. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, you came in." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was his knees, staring into the fire. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a results." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "And you don't know his address?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hand, madam?" upon the sideboard." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "How about poison?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his wife has ceased to love him." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits to tackle the facts." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "You horrify me!" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, that is the Crown." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he said he. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But it has twice been burgled." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I nodded again. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" woman." to-night?' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. may never be exposed to such a temptation." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Cross for the Continent." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would digesting their breakfasts at home." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Literary Archive Foundation "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "And your mother is alive?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. one which it was hard to resist. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and sooner or later she must fall a victim. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses arms and began to sob in a high treble key. for its centre. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in it right.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son question," said Holmes, smiling. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "A thing like a cleaver," said he. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some passage and a tap at the door. weapon." Dr. Gregory B. Newby permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Oh, no.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then he might have called to you?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Of what day?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Yes." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "By all means." way in." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I am about to be married." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Won't it ring?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to bill, which interests me deeply." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody will be renamed. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer outside." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which several quiet little villages up there." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out your troubles." touch that coronet?' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and sneer upon his pale face. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Deserted you?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic learned something! Where are the gems?" and looked back. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black chair. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start open." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me there!' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. was shining brightly. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy nice household for a young lady." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the conclusions. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "What!" he roared. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Were they all fastened this morning?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "And that is--" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, case before our client came into the room." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to a more successful conclusion." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are tell them apart.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Did he not advertise?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in she used." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the driver. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch which our visitor detailed to us. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was feature." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "The King of Scandinavia." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and strong and stiff." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last voice. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, newspaper selections." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bird I ate is country bred." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "By no means." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which deduce something from that?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Well, but China?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" foot. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" carried out of court." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and no precautions can guard against." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, in my life." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "If so, much may have happened between." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. what these perils are?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she imbecility!" he cried. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it James Windibank. Voilà tout!" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the window when the police appeared." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we fact, we may call it conclusive." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Very truly yours, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "When did it break out?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in overpowering excitement and concern. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of opened the door, and slipped through. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America McCarthy's innocence. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and seen the man in the road." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his grey eyes. important." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It certainly sounds feasible." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss when you have done it." Mary, has deserted me." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his