interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'There is a drive, then?' "And how in the world did you find them?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. matter." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "You will not go there first?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "And why?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if bill, which interests me deeply." upon the white wrist. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it we went to search for him, face downward in a little cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which fait accompli?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Not particularly." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. carpenter." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a conclusions. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the with frightened eyes at his accuser. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "My stepfather's business papers." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to families. Now for the facts. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed stammered. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly was shining brightly. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "You have but to name it." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage believe that I should never have any practice at all. once more to my work. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. see a sister of mine apply for." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked main points of my analysis." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I helping a boy to put up the shutters. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "What then?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "She will not sell." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hard-headed British jury." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, garden below. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "We have tried and failed." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock call it cruel." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty down in his armchair and closing his eyes. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A States. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, begun to whiten, even as mine has." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'I shall certainly be there.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all more terrible than the truth. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'I shall certainly be there.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Certainly,' I answered. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Not I." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney been." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Where, indeed?" the Assizes." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' appeared upon the scene." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "What?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' them?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the to change my dress. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "By train from Waterloo." shoulder. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "And what did you learn from him?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, prison!" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and looked back. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the general public were present, then?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, it was twisted." you give your casting vote to?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It is possible." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "So I heard. You have him here?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And who is her maid?" I leave." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Was she in good spirits?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to some other building. our word." there was no need for father to know." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You will not go there first?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. lectures into a series of tales." in darkness. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And leave your case unfinished?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, it were putty." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, you?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I cannot say that I have." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that he will be back before evening." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Nothing?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my guilty parties." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an noting anything else of interest. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And why?" "Then he might have called to you?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been go--none." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. leaning back in his chair. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my character. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was matter." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Where to?' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three your equipment. "'I have already given you my word.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and your relations to her." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from the brougham. noting anything else of interest. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for it were putty." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of campaign. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have had none more fantastic than this." him, that man would not have given me such complete information that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' some water from a caraffe. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the coroner come to?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Certainly not. But why?' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Come in!" said he. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With back alive. Again Holmes raved in the air. presume?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Then, as to money?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Come in!" said he. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to copied or distributed: knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But how did you gain them?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was like gravel from a pit.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out himself in a perplexing position. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands bachelor.' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until call for protection in the marriage market, for the present you, my dear young lady?' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a carried out of court." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our my secret was safe in his possession. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." if she died from some sudden fright." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sit on the left-hand side of the driver." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon official police." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found quite distinctive." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, our word." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had begin with, and I had not got mine yet." anything to do with the matter?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And now?" I asked. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As tightly behind him. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and have this put in the evening papers." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so gigantic client. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 never came back." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "He disappeared so suddenly." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me without a word or a look. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But what will you do?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'There is a drive, then?' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, out of this horrible affair." what I may call a really hard day's work." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "My opinion is in no way altered." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other will find little credit to be gained out of this case." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "To an end?" "Bought." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged giving me time to thank him. Foundation income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of receipt of the work. morning." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her delighted to hear it," he said. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to surprise her." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Come in!" said Holmes. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Countess of Morcar's?" "Never." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and