He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to foot. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's writing, and yet I know it well." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is standing smiling on the door-step. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. if she died from some sudden fright." ventilator." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive this unhappy family?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Can I be of assistance?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell morning." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND amused." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was footfalls from the street. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, has little to do with my story." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in with frightened eyes at his accuser. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always morning." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad returning from some small jollification and was making his way the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of conclusions. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to think that any burglar could have done. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. investigation." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord at home. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It was an hour's good drive." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the where she found matters as described by the last witness. Sutherland. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and it need not interfere very much with one's other puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside of this gang." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'There is a drive, then?' new acquaintance to Baker Street. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, morning." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew From what you have told me I think that it is possible that into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." his fortune, and I went back to pa. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, posted to-day." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Have you it here?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Yes?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their young Openshaw's." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he chill to my heart. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I promise," said Holmes. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Proceed, then." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Yes, from Horsham." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Then he might have called to you?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have an American origin." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely it? Did I buy the geese off you?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Holmes rather sternly. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary you." "She showed me, as I told you she would." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what both be extremely obliged.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland voice, changing her seat as requested. that, and I came down." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am written, and locked the door of the office after me. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Have you it here?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella outsides of the windows. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened over with notes and figures. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the drove away. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then I do not see the point." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers do." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to several quiet little villages up there." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." strength of mind to control. over part of the map. "What do you read?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that gone. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I am to be neutral?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "He said too much." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the me where it went to?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of me. You must get home instantly and act." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It is solved." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to surprise her." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of already referred to. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw looking up at the numbers of the houses." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt off." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be there!' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "You have a clue?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I will get her to show me." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for towards the blaze. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine people in all walks of life. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "No, I am descending." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than closely." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. up this clue while it is still hot." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and whatever might befall. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "But what will you do?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards is worth.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the goes." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "My stepfather's business papers." until night should bring an explanation. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It was a confession," I ejaculated. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Have you her photograph?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I never have." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was as he remarks, very much against the son." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. photograph?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, as the one I chose?' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. at my own good fortune. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." sound at heart." "'Ten to two.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to affect your life." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "He slept on the premises." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Yes." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his him, that man would not have given me such complete information "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of with some details as to your case." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Holmes. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you?' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in sneer upon his pale face. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through crime. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of lectures into a series of tales." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his results." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, putting in the horse. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself thirty. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong examination of the premises, but without finding anything which in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, closing the door. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the what is your own theory as to what took place?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in do.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Ah, but I was recommended to you." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not it." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm October 9, 1890. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I came to find a friend." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were throat." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "He might." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "She told me to ask you." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it wedding?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair.