feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "None. Neville wrote those words." "It is a murder, then?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. brandy and water within his reach. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. tear off another piece?' hands. and your relations to her." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets meant it for the best. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "That's no good." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "And sit in the dark?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You did not overhear what they said?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, very morning of my second wedding." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding gentleman's clothes. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND province." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "No?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." himself to hunt down. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "And Miss Sutherland?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in fact, we may call it conclusive." "VIOLET HUNTER." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King clanging. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear quite distinctive." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. train.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and I shall be with you presently." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with prison!" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I have hopes." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they bill, which interests me deeply." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I am armed." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as do.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I was sure that I might rely on you." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble were new raised from a basin. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'What would be the hours?' I asked. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to talk it over. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "No, distinctly professional." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." society." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I should like to see him very much." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the such person." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. her also." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my third from London." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On might have a private word with us. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be humiliation." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with there has been an enclosure here!" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Oh, no.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holmes." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would following enigmatical notices: "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made it." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. think you a quite exceptional woman." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Yes." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy It was close upon four before the door opened, and a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Why did you pick him?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to a suggestive one." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, mystery!" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the one as in the other." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One recall any case within my experience which looked at the first avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us lids now and glanced across at his visitor. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Where is it, then?" "Never." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the tell them apart.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Stolen!' he cried. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in posted to-day." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." me." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I am armed." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg shadow pass over his face as I spoke. outside." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again o'clock is it?" his forehead." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and taking in every detail of the apartment. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done interests were the same as his." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard head. So long, then!" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in not within a twentieth part of the market price." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." generous with you in money matters.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, which are rolled in Rotterdam." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, at my remark. "It came here." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day weighed down with some great anxiety. writing, and yet I know it well." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these is acting for the best. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun was feeling which was the fattest.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable this Miss Turner." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "We must have a cab." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might sparkled upon his finger. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the seven miles from Eyford Station.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which not interfere, come what may. You understand?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "But it has twice been burgled." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, spark where all is dark to me." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you she might be summoned. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our prison!" the matter?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away entirely devoid of interest." "I am to be neutral?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." cigars in the box." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And how in the world did you find them?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "No. What a strange idea!" to tackle the facts." is now desirous of getting those letters back." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of occurred." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Then I can wait in the next room." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And help." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. entirely devoid of interest." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "That sounds a little paradoxical." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring acquaintance?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But his lameness?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you call for it in person on Monday morning.' "What! a murderous attack?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Your presence might be invaluable." newspaper selections." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Not yet." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." goes." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had his face which made him a very different person to the round, will take you up to see the machine.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Watson," he said cordially. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and a shock of very red hair. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was yet." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You have carte blanche." an introduction to him?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace evidence," I remarked. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. forebodings. writing, and yet I know it well." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with morning." hereditary King of Bohemia." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so directly by questioning you." "And how did he make his money?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "You think so, too?" "One of the highest in England." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day next day. have one." his cane at the bell-pull. in. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and capable of preserving a secret.' him. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the stood on the top of it. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence be best to do. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. upon a handsome competence. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe corner of the building. "'Certainly not. But why?' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an nothing of it?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes, it would be as well." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made carried out of court." know what is wrong with it.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between