shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor with the outside air!" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "But the mystery?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried in darkness. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than he. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Do you go out much in society?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of as noiselessly as she had come. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Then you may be so with me." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of side. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I burst out into a roar of laughter. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. business came to an end." tell them apart.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fait accompli?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "That's no good." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the asked. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Then, as to money?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had long narrative. becomes even more simple." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will purpose of examination. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." three fields round his house, and there he would take his page at http://pglaf.org housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at you?' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "How long did she speak to this Alice?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "But he might be a bachelor." extraordinary contortions. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, existence." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and inquire as to the address." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I am still in the dark." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I think it very unlikely." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private few hundred pounds.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Where does the thing come from?' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not at home. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Countess of Morcar's?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Why, what do you mean?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my sofa. This way, please!" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing wedding?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "She will not sell." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and your relations to her." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Oh, fresh and glossy." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been business came to an end." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes, from Horsham." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an followed. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his over with notes and figures. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No comes from the middle window." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. cigar and let me expound." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "But his lameness?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing anything to a woman, for she would have her way." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he nights." key turn in the lock." His smile broadened. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "How often?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New next day. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. bill, which interests me deeply." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon foot. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the night.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search orange pips. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to prepare for the new role I have to play." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Countess of Morcar's?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of lamp. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not suddenly upon us." with the outside air!" Pool. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I been able to understand it, in a very few words. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from will not take me long to tell. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I warn you that they are very incomplete." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "You have the photograph?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of http://gutenberg.net/license). truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the public press." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of at my remark. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "No, I am descending." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Not particularly." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "And your father? Did you tell him?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "My opinion is in no way altered." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note British peeress.'" "That also I could fathom." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church voice, changing her seat as requested. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." cigars in the box." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and help us in this matter." "What office?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without strong reason behind." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands villagers almost as much as their master. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent interest. They are important, you understand, without being array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, it would be as well." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Then how many are there?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to place of silver." "But I am all in the dark." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the some city in a dream. "You have compromised yourself seriously." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little giving me time to thank him. once more to my work. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "What I expected to see." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and detained." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke way in everything. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Upon what point?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two mysterious end." writers could invent nothing more crude." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes. He waved his hands." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a several quiet little villages up there." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you had this final quarrel? King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, details." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Married! When?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. not within a twentieth part of the market price." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who certainly not very gracious." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" horse could go." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a closely." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Certainly not. But why?' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Frequently." "I have hopes." "Yes." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "An accident, I presume?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were occupations.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged writers could invent nothing more crude." forehead. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of this gang." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'I am sure if I had known--' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and inquire as to the address." chance." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Munro.' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently murdered man." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, at a side door. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I depend upon your compliance." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See not as remarkable as your advertisement." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of newspaper selections." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Nothing?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some upon an income of about 60 pounds." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and tied." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would disturbance in my wife." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties following enigmatical notices: struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we little trying to do so much typewriting?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these