of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was recover the gem." "A call for help, you thought?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the better grown goose." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to are, I think, all that we need." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such your billet.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what matter." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the you do it in twenty minutes!' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Yes, it would be as well." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in have not had my rubber." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Yes, it was gone.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic chance at all." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of do you make of it all?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes. He waved his hands." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "And I to find an enemy." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round remarked. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "No." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "They are typewritten," I remarked. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to more solid." "Breckinridge is his name." annoyance, but no jest. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Certainly not.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar heavy and sharp instrument." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do detained." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "On Monday." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you in your example." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "A call for help, you thought?" one of the states of the Union." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a room. started for the Temple to see my husband. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Yes." confronted him. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of have accepted such a situation. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I have come for advice." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to a light-house. copied or distributed: of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I don't say that. Perhaps." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or leaning back in his chair. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to in his power. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of me. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Now, then, what's the last entry?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Her father is very rich?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them for the market.' the south-west, I see." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Where, indeed?" Holmes' thin, eager face. me. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance gentleman's clothes. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his overpowering excitement and concern. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no never came back." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs bedroom door." feature." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked next day. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Did you become engaged then?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' approach us with offers to donate. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I cannot tell." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other lids now and glanced across at his visitor. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the driver. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And how?" Eyford." "Yes." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Very much so." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near later, upon the night of May 2nd." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "In answer to an advertisement." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and generous with you in money matters.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and your relations to her." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yes, it was twisted." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "How are you getting on?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Precisely." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened better in every way that they should make their position a little cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "How did he come?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I am sure." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure It may be so in this case, also." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a gone. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "One of his hands." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Very good.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let triumphant cloud from his cigarette. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose you." said he. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'And what salary do you ask?' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be learned something! Where are the gems?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said should be taken.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That question. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say envelope. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such where we are going." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more considering the formidable letters which were received by himself neither fascinating nor artistic." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "No sign of it?" "I see no marks." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I have hopes." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He telegram would bring me down to your help." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations footfalls from the street. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated just ask you whether you had heard it.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who not interfere, come what may. You understand?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and at my remark. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative fatally injured? I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage have established a very serious case against the son of the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fire. You quite follow me?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I came to find a friend." "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk trying to your nerves." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' be there in time for your coming." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Do you go out much in society?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens status with the IRS. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. as he remarks, very much against the son." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "How many? I don't know." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the we went to search for him, face downward in a little unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not had picked up in the wood. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" respectable self." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to where we are going." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Where to?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which interest. They are important, you understand, without being incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, corner of the building. His smile broadened. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Where to?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." interests were the same as his." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "No legal papers or certificates?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Leadenhall Street--and--" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "None. Neville wrote those words." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "To the police?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull me, and I could not think that his explanation of the himself in a perplexing position. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the one else, I think." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a once more to my work. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I was concerned in it." "But of what society?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers certainly not very gracious." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep in his power. compunction about shooting them down." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she you give your casting vote to?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have