rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Precisely." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." ways of our fellow-men." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Stoke Moran?" said he. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Did your wife hear all this?" your equipment. States. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing tapping his fingers upon the table. a room. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Have you good authority for what you say?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I promise," said Holmes. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said nonsense.' any." shall use the carriage to-night." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely new acquaintance to Baker Street. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, congratulate you again." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive constraint." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come to some other building. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I voice. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Then the page we have seen--" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no late!' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out vault. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the fait accompli?" such person." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "So I am. Very much so." overpowering excitement and concern. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague society." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. noble correspondent could be. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the learned something! Where are the gems?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our he died? introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It 1.F. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Never,' said I. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. know all about it," he snarled. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And Miss Sutherland?" present." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. any little problem which you may submit to me." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." figure." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Stoke Moran?" said he. the bottom.' skylight. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, pressing in one house as in another. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them experiences." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "How do you know, then?" crime. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "No." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "By train from Waterloo." nonsense.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "When did she vanish, then?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" heavy and sharp instrument." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "One of his hands." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "How did he come?" face and glided from the room. "Your French gold?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or to take care of herself." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You horrify me." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Because he was handy and would come cheap." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "He said that you could solve anything." undoubtedly my uncle's." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "At the wedding breakfast." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. past. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the Red-headed League." "And help." outsides of the windows. tied." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made intrusion of other matters." said he at last. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have solved it." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take delighted to hear it," he said. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but here and I will read it to you: which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And leave your case unfinished?" "I should like to see him very much." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. even of instruction." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the occurred." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows your sleep?' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see way: would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the back into the street. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's official police." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of province." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I would pay ten." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the child." easy-going way." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "There is the writing." "At the wedding breakfast." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little despair." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had plantation.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "And how did he make his money?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back nothing of it?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "It is a murder, then?" with you?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Proceed, then." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you heavy and sharp instrument." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and results." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "What then?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "And Irene Adler?" were new raised from a basin. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see noting anything else of interest. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes emerged. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his your room." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the more terrible than the truth. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of receipt of the work. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "My private note-paper." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, morning." very morning of my second wedding." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "He might." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "By no means." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, have had none more fantastic than this." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a quickly through a disagreeable task. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the goes." guilty one." the side-table." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and inquire as to the address." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "My photograph." you do it in twenty minutes!' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had we went to search for him, face downward in a little a good hundred miles off by now." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had to a light-house. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the morning and make my own way in the world.' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of through." "Yes, that is the Crown." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let directors have had misgivings upon the subject." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately more terrible than the truth. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had observed. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief posted to-day." "The Cedars?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'I have heard so.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you signal between you and your father? Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in obstinate." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "And you don't know his address?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "It missed him, then?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I beg pardon." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of his huge brown hands. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of money should be paid at once.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal man. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more over here." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I approached. business came to an end." lips." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Then he might have called to you?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my envelope. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I beg pardon." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious asked. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece laugh and put his lips to my ear. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be