clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your over part of the map. "What do you read?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study business at Coburg Square is serious." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which tail." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over leaning back in his chair. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you because she had spent so short a time in this country that she bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my beg that you will break it off." Count Von Kramm." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes, he did." as he folded up the epistle. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He You want to know what became of those geese?" "I do." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by father's place of business?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Is he quiet?" him!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Have you it here?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy tied." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "How are you getting on?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not danger is over." "But you were on a friendly footing?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return said he at last. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "What!" he roared. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Here?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it right.' "No." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes, that is the Crown." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pity, because in other respects you would really have done very retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "So I am. Very much so." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the morning." "Do you know him?" "Nothing?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I said he. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin forbidden door. His name is Francis Prosper." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Not in the least." other means.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It is very kind of you." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I will try. What is it?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some nothing with him." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the respectable self." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You think so, too?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to-night?" I asked. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "My opinion is in no way altered." "It is his hat." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A envelope. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and own family. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I some water from a caraffe. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It is possible." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I should wish to." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Is he quiet?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong without a word or a look. present." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Nothing?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was a lad." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought more terrible than the truth. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself prison!" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. indeed happy." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, behind me. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was with frightened eyes at his accuser. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss nights." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But your client--" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "But the mystery?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right chambers. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, yes, easily." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Have you it here?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Which dealer's?' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I held the little printed slip to the light. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'Never.' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. writers could invent nothing more crude." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact know what is wrong with it.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and closely." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I shall most certainly do so." were unconscious?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Yes." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his interests were the same as his." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Where to?' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed in a friendly supper." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make been able to understand it, in a very few words. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and is worth.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, feature." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'It is locked up,' I answered. the best of training." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been father's young wife. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall good for you to do.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Certainly not.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. this poor creature." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my upon the sideboard." power." "And for present expenses?" Literary Archive Foundation Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "In which, sir?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Did you become engaged then?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. what these perils are?" acquaintance?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No, my brougham is waiting." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Entirely.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the one as in the other." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "We have tried and failed." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "So I heard. You have him here?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "There are none." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Now, then, what's the last entry?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear showing my impatience. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I cannot tell." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Yes." key of the affair now." to some other building. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of heavily into it. "The knees of his trousers." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I think it very unlikely." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the newspaper selections." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the there when the Rucastles went away." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'You cannot say what it was?' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. good for you to do.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange The summons was a brief and urgent one. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that paper in the air. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Thank you. Pray proceed." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "And I." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more she to prove their authenticity?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I see me here to avoid scandal." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "On your arm?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat remarked. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "My dear Holmes!" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to indeed happy." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Witness: I must still refuse. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I would pay ten." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I am about to be married." II. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I am following you closely," I answered.