the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a late!' desk. "Where, then, is my wife?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "But what is it you wish?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Again Holmes raved in the air. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was a loud and authoritative tap. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'I shall certainly be there.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. what do you think they found in the pockets?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't must compliment you." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress appeared upon the scene." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque lost his Christmas dinner." "'What do you call purely nominal?' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "But how?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Well, it is a possible supposition." certainly not very gracious." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I which our visitor detailed to us. away to you." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the tapping his fingers upon the table. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these bill, which interests me deeply." back to my heart. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I have hopes." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "At the wedding breakfast." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "How can you tell that?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, some hundreds of times." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband golden eyeglasses. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Was the window open?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a corner of the building. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he golden eyeglasses. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cigars in their mouths. Miss Holder?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right be. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion opportunities to fix the problem. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a points to suicide?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I answered that I had not. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Very truly yours, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism chamber." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Pray do so." ventilator." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a least a fellow-countryman. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to tackle the facts." better in every way that they should make their position a little new acquaintance to Baker Street. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the Red-headed League." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the Assizes." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it bill, which interests me deeply." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "No, thank goodness, she did not." "It was." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself come either from the window or the door. My attention was This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he which was all perfectly true. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me photograph?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Street. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "At what time?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "The doctor?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever shadow pass over his face as I spoke. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to-night." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I main points of my analysis." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Then, how do you know?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was was a loud and authoritative tap. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "By train from Waterloo." "Has he come with you to-night?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be remarked. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 'please.'" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The rest you will leave in our hands." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during felt?" "That is easily got." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of little trying to do so much typewriting?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Then I do not see the point." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope me upon any point which I do not make clear." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Only as much as we can deduce." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "In answer to an advertisement." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a any." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much depend upon my doing so.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, what is your own theory as to what took place?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and all of them with the keenest interest. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do think, you have already met." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On do you make of it all?" I held the little printed slip to the light. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." be. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, fluttered off among the others. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Yes, sir." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man away into the river." "I cannot imagine." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the standing smiling on the door-step. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I train.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I cannot tell." as he folded up the epistle. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the running down." look dissatisfied." key of the affair now." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I am all attention, madam." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "This photograph!" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in cup of tea. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I am armed." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "No more words. Get out!" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end deduce something from that?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Yes, it would be as well." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, companion. envelope. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in maiden herself was most instructive." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. nothing with him." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "It was an hour's good drive." congenial hunt. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train noise which awoke you from your sleep?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Have you it here?" promised to bring home. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" kindly on the shoulder. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Upon what point?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'I am sure if I had known--' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I think that I could be of assistance to you." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. hour?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of your equipment. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You did not overhear what they said?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who down. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You hereditary King of Bohemia." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you fattened it expressly for you.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Entirely." our word." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced affair. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to detective. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. you?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "How did that help you?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And you don't know his address?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were You want to know what became of those geese?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is