the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, delighted to hear it," he said. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "None." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. about here speaks of his kindness to him." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire opportunities to fix the problem. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it cigar and let me expound." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Never." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the coat-tails." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. works. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond frequently gained my first real insight into the character of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My subject to the trademark license, especially commercial its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "What steps will you take?" I asked. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the best of training." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no quite distinctive." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' clanging. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "And is that all?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted joking. "He is still with you, I presume?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his have one." "And is that all?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "No." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too one which it was hard to resist. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a least a most suspicious remark." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it charge against him will break down." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had my former friend and companion. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Foundation chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of question," said Holmes, smiling. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'What do you call purely nominal?' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a union?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something McCarthy's innocence. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first again on its way. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'You cannot say what it was?' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that you wished to speak to me?' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. behind me. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Was the window open?" again on its way. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." guilty parties." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I should like to see him very much." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Precisely." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the coronet in his hand?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank redistribution. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am have an American origin." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right opened the door, and slipped through. your sleep?' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office me. You must get home instantly and act." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "And who is her maid?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to whether it answered to the description of any of their What do you deduce from it?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend there has been an enclosure here!" "'Entirely.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in daring than any effort of the imagination." call it cruel." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the stable lane now." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It is no ordinary one." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what returned to France?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. you, my dear young lady?' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without points in connection with it which never have been, and probably relief. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his down. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the roots. a little more before I quite committed myself. "What!" he roared. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of Fenchurch Street." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I should be immensely obliged to you." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Very well, sir. And this stone?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you in your example." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I held the little printed slip to the light. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and the church but not where the lady lived." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to them present such singular features as the strange train of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we British peeress.'" clang of the bell. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and capable of preserving a secret.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included forecastle of an emigrant ship. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in any more." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my friends, not even his own brother. "It was an hour's good drive." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a cup of tea. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried at home. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Of what?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers in your London, you will know that the office of the company is most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he lamp in his hand. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily galvanised. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very prisoner's face. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, an introduction to him?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should flock.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the one as in the other." strong reason behind." "It missed him, then?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "The doctor?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had heavily into it. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a her also." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes, I have one waiting." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last your most interesting statement." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his could gather together that I was able to avert another public The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my lips." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have o'clock is it?" views." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had a long day." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "But how?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded careless servant girl?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about a little more before I quite committed myself. down. the bottom.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Deserted you?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen again on its way. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "How about poison?" out of this horrible affair." the so-precious time, but come!' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you singular points about the case. What did the police think of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Of Friday, June 19th." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' him. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the business matters.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock examination of the premises, but without finding anything which all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'What are you doing there?' he asked. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had true." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that you came in." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "The murder was done with it." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "She told me to ask you." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you His name is Francis Prosper." "No." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" whatever might befall. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Heh?' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Then he might have called to you?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "You have compromised yourself seriously." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the 1.F. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying girl said." "It is half-past ten now." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Project Gutenberg-tm works. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "No, I had a dozen." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family and all of them with the keenest interest. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Miss Holder?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and effective." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps shaken than I had ever seen him. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in