towards the blaze. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the warnings." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried a monotonous occupation." definite end. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the signal between you and your father? his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sufficient punishment." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all even so self-evident a thing as that." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "And Irene Adler?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the delighted to hear it," he said. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds The police have openly confessed that they can at present make mystery." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a bird of prey. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "How did you trace it, then?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through this as likely?" "Frequently." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Then what has happened to him?" strength of mind to control. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Do you go out much in society?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich them?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an noble correspondent could be. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the congratulate you again." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What then?" "And for present expenses?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door would apply.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'I shall certainly be there.' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to a light-house. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Pray do so." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the address that was given us in the advertisement. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then them, and came down just as you departed. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the again." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. fuss that is made over them." such attractions and accomplishments?' electronic works fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Count Von Kramm." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a this as likely?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "How are you getting on?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great at home. than to us. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would strength in the others." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a call for it in person on Monday morning.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "In what way?" asked Holmes. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "That also I could fathom." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "To an English lawyer named Norton." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And for present expenses?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the nursery. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend is so. I know all about McCarthy." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "You don't mind breaking the law?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Yes." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it http://gutenberg.net/license). Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification made him keep the appointment." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point depend upon your compliance." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of breakfast?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "That is easily got." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed searched, without anything being found which could incriminate every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely green of the new foliage. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Was he the only applicant?" she used." has little to do with my story." indiscretion." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and have been better. It is all right." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm cigars in their mouths. of them has the shutters up.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a have an American origin." "How did you trace it, then?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was it brought him the coronet? discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hereditary King of Bohemia." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "An accident, I presume?" wife's character?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The King of Scandinavia." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "In San Francisco, a year ago." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had new duties?' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before legal crime." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Perfectly so." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the only touch the interest." colour had been driven from his face. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. arrested. You then--" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Not I." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "No, I had a dozen." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. himself. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face shaken than I had ever seen him. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one License. You must require such a user to return or "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Then I can wait in the next room." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That sounds a little paradoxical." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, clanging. asked. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "How did you trace it, then?" Countess of Morcar's?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." before the coroner and the police-court." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I more terrible than the truth. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. behind me. "Breckinridge is his name." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of the way of danger. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have her also." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been lost nothing by them." money should be paid at once.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that coat-tails." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Not social, then?" weapon." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no information in his hands the value of which he did not himself A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You have carte blanche." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it pierced for earrings?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the coronet in his hand?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of some city in a dream. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Precisely." "Did you become engaged then?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said place, I think that there is good ground to think that the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his infinite languor in his face. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." will not take me long to tell. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I was sure that I might rely on you." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I answered that I had not. horse could go." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by as this. Pray let me have the details." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, fire. You quite follow me?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "That was it, sir." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you his fortune, and I went back to pa. detained." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the answered with a sidelong glance. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added without success. At last the little money which I had saved began of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the assist you in forming an opinion." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled results." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his me have 200 pounds?' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the one as in the other." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Where is it, then?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick she to prove their authenticity?" key of the affair now." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I shall be delighted." electronic works but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have cost them two and thirty pounds." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an not interfere, come what may. You understand?" spare." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "But I am all in the dark." might help us?" "You have but to name it." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at suspect him." ceremony." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And how?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I was concerned in it." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram there has been an enclosure here!" conclusions. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Witness: It was. highly," said Holmes. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales at home. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every photograph?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I have seen the police." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, interested in these little problems, and since you are good returned to France?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And it is--" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of purpose of examination. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have got?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and locked." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the