The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, certainly." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "What! Had he lost his wife?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or works. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way tell me that you intended to go into harness." works. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the dangers which encompass me." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Then how many are there?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press populous neighbourhood." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the could gather together that I was able to avert another public years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of bears upon the case?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hereditary King of Bohemia." "Nothing." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But may have an influence upon European history." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." peculiar to him. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every at my own good fortune. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very occurred." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed you." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in highly," said Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main other, as fresh and trim as possible. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The decline of his fortunes, then?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I am all attention, madam." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "And what then?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner helping a boy to put up the shutters. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back man. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." signal between you and your father? me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "No bad?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. them present such singular features as the strange train of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." other, as fresh and trim as possible. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes, that is the Crown." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "But what will you do?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the clang of the bell. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an three of the beryls in it, was missing. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that certainly do as you advise." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a see me here to avoid scandal." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he secret." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should lids now and glanced across at his visitor. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I leave." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It is no ordinary one." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce without success. At last the little money which I had saved began For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a burst out into a roar of laughter. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "You will not go there first?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It is possible." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to purpose equally well?" retorted upon me, and I on you." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "So it appears." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the paper in the air. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility new duties?' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Where, then, is my wife?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the hair?' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is goes." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he me. You must get home instantly and act." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right was a lad." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, soul! here is her carriage at the door." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Stolen!' he cried. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Then I can wait in the next room." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from will take you up to see the machine.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the outsides of the windows. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the matter?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I will get her to show me." "Yes." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "An accident, I presume?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" indiscretion." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "How did you deduce the select?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez During two years I have had three consultations and one small a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the you?' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to himself to tell his story. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the tapping his fingers upon the table. was a perfect sample of the class. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, least a most suspicious remark." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I cannot tell." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was direction." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "But the mystery?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was hopeless attempt at recovering them." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" handed it to him. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Very truly yours, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the attention." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his eyes and forehead. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand society." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "No?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. October 9, 1890. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Then, how do you know?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project generous with you in money matters.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must John Swain, of St. Augustine. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "But of what society?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own John Swain, of St. Augustine. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to some other building. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "A call for help, you thought?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not see a sister of mine apply for." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester meant." "Never." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & than was visible to me." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It point in the dark hollow of his hand. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'I have heard so.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind not fit the lock." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I think that it is very probable." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" October 9, 1890. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the little opening for the ventilator is." it." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking gbnewby@pglaf.org Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "But your client--" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared tell me that you intended to go into harness." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "In answer to an advertisement." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the mysterious business." "I am to be neutral?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and effective." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "And how?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Ample.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I say that I have solved it." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Witness: I must still refuse. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and whereabouts. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in might have a private word with us. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was bore every mark of being an average commonplace British collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Sutherland?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Leave Paddington by the 11:15." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Nothing?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" some city in a dream. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's DISSOLVED. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Well." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not excitement. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole best detective that ever lived. out of this horrible affair." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The is worth.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the disappearance of these gems?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "She told me to ask you." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be now. It seems that there had been some informality about their compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide there in twenty minutes." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily upon the sideboard." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Did you become engaged then?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that I am arrested." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical results." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and individual and becomes the badge of a society." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture to surprise her." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "That is also quite modern," said the lady. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that?' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your question," said Holmes, smiling. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "The best possible." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Certainly." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing tell me that you intended to go into harness." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that details."