"He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Cross for the Continent." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons highroad, where all traces were lost. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "When did it break out?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be clanging. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my it with his own hands." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. other lovers by making love himself." any little problem which you may submit to me." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack held up the lantern and gazed about him. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! just called myself is not exactly my own." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Now, then, what's the last entry?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it it." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the morning and make my own way in the world.' outside." touch that coronet?' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Was she in good spirits?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And on what day did he meet his death?" round and wave him away like that.' "One of his hands." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I shall most certainly do so." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." rose-bushes. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the room. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Yes, but only for you and me." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who better grown goose." fatally injured? wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind whatever might befall. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and effective." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The humiliation." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look me what he had done with the three missing stones. back alive. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "But I have heard all that you have heard." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a your Highness to the police-station?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed dear old homesteads?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "To an end?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "But the mystery?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." just called myself is not exactly my own." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said absorbing." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I am armed." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Then what has happened to him?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was a loud and authoritative tap. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I am sure." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "What then?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'It is locked up,' I answered. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. he bowed and left the room without another word. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I should like to see him very much." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "On Monday." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having where we are going." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, becomes even more simple." awaited us upon the table. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main as he folded up the epistle. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Which are?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Proceed, then." "May I see it?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such if she died from some sudden fright." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have least a fellow-countryman. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet my former friend and companion. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he used to be." but preventing her from injuring another. "What have you to say now?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend delighted to hear it," he said. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "What will you do, then?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "A call for help, you thought?" words came to my lips. "I think it very unlikely." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached down. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Why, what do you mean?" the roots. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a His name is Francis Prosper." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Pope's Court. security.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to be.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and away to you." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me with her." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future this poor creature." "Where, then?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bell. Holmes whistled. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the look upon these things in a different way." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has prepare for the new role I have to play." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern fact, we may call it conclusive." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that?' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed you." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Just look it up, then." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding His name is Francis Prosper." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I would pay ten." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing once more to my work. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "And how in the world did you find them?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Absolutely?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "No, thank goodness, she did not." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "BALLARAT." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "You have a clue?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, letters?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. October 9, 1890. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And I." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you side. "I have seen the police." daring than any effort of the imagination." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society down in his armchair and closing his eyes. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check window when the police appeared." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "It was." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I never have." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And that is--" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Dr. Becher's." up this clue while it is still hot." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And when will you call?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of you understand?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "And Irene Adler?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence green of the new foliage. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the more solid." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the one's self under obligations.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have been better. It is all right." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And how in the world did you find them?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Mary, has deserted me." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did whole matter to your consideration." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You know me, then?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and four million human beings all jostling each other within the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I should wish to." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." speckled band?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "None." my little problems." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But his left-handedness." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third gone before you can get him to hospital." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; photograph?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his shoulder; "he's all right." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There train from Paddington which would bring you there at about who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, more terrible than the truth. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself my friend's incisive reasoning. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British before the coroner and the police-court." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was was it brought him the coronet? prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy official police." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said of." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I shall continue with my miserable story. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I approached. ourselves in the office." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I see many objections to any such theory." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my cigars in their mouths. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." lost his Christmas dinner." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, intrusion of other matters." hour." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into main points of my analysis." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'What are you doing there?' he asked. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you him nearly every evening." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But how will you look?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him."