"Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, served to weaken the effect. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the general public were present, then?" the Red-headed League." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may so.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On seem to you to be relevant or not." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did details." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my drawing your inferences." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "None. Neville wrote those words." Where does the thing come from?' giving me time to thank him. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I am following you closely," I answered. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand him to go away.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried shall not find me ungrateful." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without business in the City. She little knew what. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out were new raised from a basin. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." three fields round his house, and there he would take his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish guilty parties." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you want, then?' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with for its centre. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me purpose of examination. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this call you and give you the chance." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. letters?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'As governess?' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred easy-going way." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." more terrible than the truth. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "What?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad relation between them, and what the object of his repeated trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official really the only notable feature about the thing." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master done what I asked you, Jones?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his eyes and forehead. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your legal crime." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who meant it for the best. telegram would bring me down to your help." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a a room. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to nonsense.' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "What shall I do?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It you came in." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and I shall be with you presently." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "What are they?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he very morning of my second wedding." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Always." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I have my revolver," said I. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'Yes.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had there has been an enclosure here!" yourselves in at night?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' this remarkable episode. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "And sit in the dark?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there where we are going." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Very much so." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a more solid." ordinary clothes on?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my former friend and companion. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Holmes' face clouded over. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to existence." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in people don't know." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'About the same.' awaited us upon the table. nonsense.' "What do you mean?" help us in this matter." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I have seen the police." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Absolutely none." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower as the one I chose?' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would such person." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child empty. "None." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by letters?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered most important business. It is probable that he will be away all outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has events than those which have happened in my own family." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. meant it for the best. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this towards the blaze. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Gutenberg-tm License. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was status with the IRS. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "You are all wrong." started for the Temple to see my husband. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked fuss that is made over them." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of them has the shutters up.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very gone. careless servant girl?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will events, Mr. Windibank!" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Pray do so." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, something of him before." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest again." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Witness: It was. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to a more successful conclusion." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that morning." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and advice." "Yes." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it than to us. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, said he. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You will not go there first?" Again Holmes raved in the air. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." within hail.' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a south, for the country is more deserted there." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "If I can be of use." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the nursery. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some some city in a dream. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed memory. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "My last client of the sort was a king." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes." "Ample." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, at my remark. little adventures." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I room had already been engaged for us. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hands. "From his hat?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "The murder was done with it." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from upon the shelf for the interim." the so-precious time, but come!' "I don't say that. Perhaps." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them sit on the left-hand side of the driver." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the dangers which encompass me." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich coroner's jury." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to surprise her." even so self-evident a thing as that." of." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide pierced for earrings?" next day. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Certainly not. But why?' definite end. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a as this. Pray let me have the details." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I came to find a friend." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence union?" depend upon your compliance." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Yes." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "So I am. Very much so." "Perfectly so." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert occurred." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a bonnet, and went out." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We way in." "And why?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the running down." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge we went to search for him, face downward in a little accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Sutherland. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in might help us?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was it brought him the coronet? entirely lost his self-respect." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take really the only notable feature about the thing." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Yes, I have one waiting." 'please.'" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross