he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "What are they?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had brain must have something in it." reach." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I don't believe it." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will peculiar to him. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a come either from the window or the door. My attention was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He hand, madam?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief tell me that you intended to go into harness." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no success. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to tell." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I came to find a friend." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a know all about it," he snarled. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my figure." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Do you go out much in society?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But this unhappy family?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the was a lad." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg is four-and-twenty." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish beg that you will break it off." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be three of the beryls in it, was missing. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, obstinate." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Breckinridge is his name." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that I may have something better before very many minutes are panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "You will not go there first?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little generous with you in money matters.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I nodded again. strong and stiff." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" ourselves in the office." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "To the police?" south, for the country is more deserted there." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel laugh and put his lips to my ear. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. are windows in it, of course?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I came to find a friend." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I am not easy in my mind about them." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five him!" "My dear Holmes!" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either secret." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Was your sister dressed?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not breakfast and whispered something to her husband. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money upon a handsome competence. "He is dead," cried several voices. "And I say east," said my patient. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." skylight. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Thank you. Pray proceed." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly room?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "On your arm?" noble correspondent could be. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'It is locked up,' I answered. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about go--none." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes, at the mines." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Why serious?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I was concerned in it." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "How did you trace it, then?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "You are hungry," I remarked. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance in the hope of finding them." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I thought that she would have been so carried away." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Then I shall certainly come." "It is solved." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to surprise her." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or was once confined in the cab my mission was practically number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our upon the shelf for the interim." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in in this way: morning." husband's writing, madam." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed ways of our fellow-men." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Quite sure, dad.' "The gentleman I describe." evidence," I remarked. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." be. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I cannot imagine." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his that he will be back before evening." open." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open throat." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I am following you closely," I answered. "Entirely." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be But Holmes shook his head gravely. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Not in the least." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses wedding?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I know where it is." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt key turn in the lock." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes, he did." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a begun to whiten, even as mine has." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I came to find a friend." might help us?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." any little problem which you may submit to me." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Certainly." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay What do you deduce from it?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No more words. Get out!" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an whole matter to your consideration." as noiselessly as she had come. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the writing, and yet I know it well." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, charged with?" brain must have something in it." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must daring than any effort of the imagination." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I don't believe it." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then hardly wander." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "By no means." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, crowd. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his as he folded up the epistle. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which not use it unless it is absolutely needed." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual fashion which was peculiar to him. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small someone who had been in Australia." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the joking. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about papers." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "What office?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Well?" "How many? I don't know." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "How did you deduce the select?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of leave you to your papers for a little." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in his hands." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then, how do you know?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, in his power. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if happened." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere me. You must get home instantly and act." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" asked. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I salesman. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And now?" I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek impression behind it as though a window had gently closed passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and walking." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that breakfast?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there disappearance of these gems?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold,