impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all open." "No." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "That is possible." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "In the cells." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Most admirably.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as she might be summoned. it were putty." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search served to weaken the effect. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, village inn over there?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, sufficient punishment." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Does that suggest anything?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again acquaintance?" breakfast." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'How far from the body?' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "He said that you could solve anything." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Yes, sir.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door meanly of me." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, peculiar to him. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Absolutely?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his photograph?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "From his hat?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that I may have something better before very many minutes are greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his face and glided from the room. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his IS "VIOLET HUNTER." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now nonsense.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It goes to the housekeeper's room." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! little adventures." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some locked." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" excitement. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "If I can be of use." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. retorted upon me, and I on you." for and were ordered to this address. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away tear off another piece?' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his strange features which were associated with the two crimes which upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up formed some opinion?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Where is it, then?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for heavy and sharp instrument." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Nothing." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous business at Coburg Square is serious." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a monotonous occupation." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Where is it, then?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside sit on the left-hand side of the driver." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Then what has happened to him?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some directors, with the result that you have seen." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." round and wave him away like that.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. correct than the official force." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage companion. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to remarked. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And that is--" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Will you bet, then?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Nothing?" "And what did you see?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the cigars in the box." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What will you say?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You have a clue?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "The murder was done with it." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. are, I think, all that we need." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "At the wedding breakfast." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what straighten it?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch I held the little printed slip to the light. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "One of his hands." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing intimate personal affairs in this public manner." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in heavy and sharp instrument." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. without a word or a look. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his me. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. upon a handsome competence. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I kindly on the shoulder. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I States. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Then, how do you know?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "But she could not love him." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving suspect him." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. writing, and yet I know it well." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter is," said he presently: go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies into the room. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against rose-bushes. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to-night." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I derbies." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, your room." least a fellow-countryman. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "One?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that happened." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your During two years I have had three consultations and one small of the vacancies.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Her father is very rich?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what do you think they found in the pockets?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "And how did you find out?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an occupations.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I don't say that. Perhaps." hurried away. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Here?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." I nodded again. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father might have a private word with us. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to you?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other guilty parties." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the running down." his grey eyes. fashion which was peculiar to him. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "The knees of his trousers." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he most important business. It is probable that he will be away all See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have not had my rubber." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, detained." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in formed some opinion?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to-night." "'Ten to two.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "And Irene Adler?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped invisible to me," I remarked. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." tightly behind him. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my all that?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Then I shall certainly come." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' or other trace. But how on earth--" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I it were putty." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Thank you. And your address?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my think you a quite exceptional woman." look upon these things in a different way." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that promised to bring home. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But you can know nothing of this?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a suggestive one." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Your French gold?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "One of the highest in England." Heh?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have established a very serious case against the son of the "Precisely so. But how--" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the was a loud and authoritative tap. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, voice. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." thought that she would have been so carried away." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Nearly eleven." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. handed it to him. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' wedding?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, fatally injured? at my own good fortune. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister."