showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I guessed as much." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Was he the only applicant?" think that he is innocent?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving bearing upon the case." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of have established a very serious case against the son of the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to tell." not come at once?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was shining brightly. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez little adventures." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I way in everything. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "That sounds a little paradoxical." think you a quite exceptional woman." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all this unhappy family?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes, it was twisted." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Not I." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already with frightened eyes at his accuser. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter even of instruction." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is a murder, then?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have definite end. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "One?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This address. your only hope of safety." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "And for present expenses?" "Certainly." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. for the market.' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I long narrative. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in lamp in his hand. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It is solved." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "None. Neville wrote those words." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "And who is her maid?" skylight. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something bed dies. Does not that strike you?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Yes.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND an introduction to him?" hardly wander." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich as this. Pray let me have the details." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. indeed which he could not unravel. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You think that he is dead?" "But what is it you wish?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of receipt of the work. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "The landlord of the Alpha." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. distinguish the words: "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "What! Had he lost his wife?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had questioning and rather startled gaze. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it infinite languor in his face. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that cheerful." "I am sure." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "No, distinctly professional." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. heavy and sharp instrument." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual into the room. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." towards the blaze. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I held the little printed slip to the light. here and I will read it to you: "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I don't say that. Perhaps." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Why, what do you mean?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into fasten all the windows?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were take the flies, but not before." have had none more fantastic than this." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so there in twenty minutes." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far ready to-morrow?' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "No." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the What do you deduce from it?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to surprise her." Count Von Kramm." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "To the police?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; quickly through a disagreeable task. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as look upon these things in a different way." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old details should find their way into the papers. Inspector said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Have you it here?" you give your casting vote to?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of other means.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Nothing." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client province." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Street. "'Yes, I promise.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine back alive. have an American origin." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest stammered. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fattened it expressly for you.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, acquaintance?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It came here." ago." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong perplexity from it to my illustrious client. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable business matters.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear passage and a tap at the door. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ways including including checks, online payments and credit card shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'It is locked up,' I answered. true." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses asked. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." vault. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I be there in time for your coming." "Yes, sir." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "What then?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope one of the states of the Union." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'And the work?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. to-night's adventure." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might only touch the interest." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "We have tried and failed." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Where did he live, then?" "'Certainly not. But why?' Stoke Moran." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "But you can know nothing of this?" the matter?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug some mystery and the punishment of some crime." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall status with the IRS. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before dramatic, in fact." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Is he quiet?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Always." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then gentleman's clothes. "She will not sell." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I should wish to." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of was not a bird to be seen there. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever his grey eyes. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very should be taken.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'Yes, it was gone.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, shall use the carriage to-night." all that?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to During two years I have had three consultations and one small I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Witness: Nothing definite. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable room had already been engaged for us. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two hour?' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "None." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "And it is--" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the eavesdroppers?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the companion imperturbably. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper be.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. weighed down with some great anxiety. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" was a loud and authoritative tap. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in meant." figure." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was amused." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Very murderous indeed." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Then let me do so?' goes." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with families. Now for the facts. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as said he at last. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and brandy and water within his reach. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself business?" security.' was shining brightly. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I beg pardon." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step a very grave face. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a heavy and sharp instrument." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you a room. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an grasp, he hurried from the room. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." during that time.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, chance at all." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Clair, of Lee." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride."