absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who His name is Francis Prosper." as he remarks, very much against the son." suddenly upon us." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Yes, sir." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still to-night's adventure." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ways of our fellow-men." "Bought." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing closing the door. "That is possible." "'In my own bureau.' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most have got?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we one's self under obligations.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a such attractions and accomplishments?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the case-book, which he consulted. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the room while you explain this matter?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project go--none." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a name is different." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had which it had come upon my father." DISSOLVED. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental hopeless attempt at recovering them." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you mysterious business." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Nothing?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of occurred." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I beg pardon." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I do." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there John Swain, of St. Augustine. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for said he. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers nights." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Then how many are there?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that without a word or a look. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of bearing upon the case." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What, then, did Peterson do?" was lame." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." had this final quarrel? the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You have but to name it." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his which our visitor detailed to us. "Seven!" I answered. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us away in different directions, and I went off to make my own have not had my rubber." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It is half-past ten now." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and late." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked happened." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. there is a decided draught." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It came here." "Not in the least." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag instituted." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "The vanishing of the lady." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable works. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce it were putty." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Pray tell us what has happened to you." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "And why in hopes?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I very old mansion. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, astonishment. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Upon what point?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a promised to bring home. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or this remarkable episode. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It is to him that this trophy belongs." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously it." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside bachelor.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they nonsense.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now place no limit on the sum I may draw." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'A dozen yards or so.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had are, I think, all that we need." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "That is possible." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" letters?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in answered with a sidelong glance. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel with frightened eyes at his accuser. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then you may be so with me." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I business at Coburg Square is serious." gives a meaning to it." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as in this note: the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their tear off another piece?' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy there was no need for father to know." eat it." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Not him." "Proceed, then." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this chill to my heart. bird I ate is country bred." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up served to weaken the effect. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "None." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was discontent upon his features. the tragedy. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us directly by questioning you." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the south-west, I see." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to-night." Gutenberg-tm License. "And Miss Sutherland?" his grey eyes. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "To an end?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "He said that you could solve anything." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as felt the room to be a little close.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Again Holmes raved in the air. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the photograph?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than fear." he bowed and left the room without another word. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's sparkled upon his finger. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Then the page we have seen--" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the shoulder. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" get her out of the way." furiously. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was ashen face. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. which we had just quitted. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the bare slabs of marble. "My dear Holmes!" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "But she will refuse." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never stalked out of the room. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "We must have a cab." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Ample.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "How did he come?" really the only notable feature about the thing." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "So I heard. You have him here?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'As governess?' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a place of silver." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me could not have written that. It is the German who is so with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, fluttered off among the others. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" might have a private word with us. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I will not look." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce lamp in his hand. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Thank you. And your address?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called writing, and yet I know it well." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'And the work?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It must be recovered." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must not come at once?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside singular points about the case. What did the police think of the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I have hopes." four million human beings all jostling each other within the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our money should be paid at once.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'And the work?' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "He slept on the premises." ordinary clothes on?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able bell. Holmes whistled. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young congratulate you again." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you perplexity from it to my illustrious client. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "She will not sell." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and hereditary King of Bohemia." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I will not look." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds ourselves in the office." foot. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the coronet in his hand?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: occupations.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two married her." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique be.' "And for present expenses?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." so far?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put