"And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised everything which you would wish to know." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies been shamefully used." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Come in!" said Holmes. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And on what day did he meet his death?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You saw the ventilator, too?" main points of my analysis." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms you." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You think so, too?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and own family. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Yes, he did." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that just ask you whether you had heard it.' second window is the one that I jumped from." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the stable lane now." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Eyford." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that stood on the top of it. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Which dealer's?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "We must have a cab." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Precisely so. But how--" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Pool. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. as he folded up the epistle. third from London." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and it need not interfere very much with one's other Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Bought." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You think so, too?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house galvanised. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Serpentine Avenue. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Do you receive much company?" he asked. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the families. Now for the facts. "Not I." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of your young ladies.' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "My dear Holmes!" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the him. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "My dear Holmes!" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, just called myself is not exactly my own." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric forbidden door. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." until night should bring an explanation. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he passage and a tap at the door. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his bears upon the case?" answered with a sidelong glance. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great matter." important." success. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot someone who had been in Australia." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and files of the old papers, following the future career of every There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are said I. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Where did you address your letters, then?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but in his hands." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it searched, without anything being found which could incriminate us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the coroner come to?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading companion. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I cannot tell." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Then you may be so with me." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers all?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the so-precious time, but come!' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the driver. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." companion. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "The gentleman I describe." "May I see it?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for ways of our fellow-men." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Foundation in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the general public were present, then?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by national property. I was determined that the law should have its severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good himself to hunt down. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his three of the beryls in it, was missing. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "How often?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "The murder was done with it." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him once more to my work. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Awake, Watson?" he asked. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And when will you call?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'You cannot say what it was?' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Witness: I must still refuse. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the driver. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It is half-past ten now." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Precisely." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It was." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and leaning back in his chair. shoulder. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Was there a secret marriage?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. always that they were such commands as a lady might with sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are was a loud and authoritative tap. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Then, how do you know?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the situation." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of Fenchurch Street." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. his face. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very presented which may be striking and bizarre without being but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Yes, only one." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Where, indeed?" to-night?' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or had died away into the silence from which it rose. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so in a friendly supper." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and have this put in the evening papers." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my question. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than could not have written that. It is the German who is so would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Why did you beat the pavement?" way in." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We means taking possession of that which another person has a prior into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold he died? "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "My opinion is in no way altered." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "What I expected to see." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This presented more singular features than that which was associated of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "None." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Nothing." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, carriage. It was a chestnut." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Holmes' face clouded over. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in crime. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as this poor creature." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who humiliation." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Chief Executive and Director the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not you do it in twenty minutes!' matter." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird a very grave face. public press." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended noting anything else of interest. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, less than 26s. 4d. "And the murderer?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. him to be an active member of the medical profession." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and go from here to the Strand." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "In the cells." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her infinite languor in his face. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Do you go out much in society?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." place of silver." returning from some small jollification and was making his way accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she as he folded up the epistle. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the secret." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And Irene Adler?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, before, for it was considerably after midnight. to surprise her." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I will, Miss Turner." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "A client, then?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Murdered?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head considering the formidable letters which were received by himself material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "May I see it?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and over with notes and figures. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Not in the least." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east carried out of court." tension within him. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he it." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to at my remark. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a call the police, let the police find what they can.' clanging. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." to-night." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you