and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Then, as to money?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." power." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is prisoner's face. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I cannot imagine." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If prison!" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner questionable one." been deceived." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in his hands." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become may never be exposed to such a temptation." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gone before you can get him to hospital." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Why serious?" bird I ate is country bred." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and looked back. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Here?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have you in your example." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the station." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the despair." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with his forehead." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you arrested. You then--" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, only one." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a at my own good fortune. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a you came in." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not meanly of me." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he like that before?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "No, I think that I'll take it." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he what is your own theory as to what took place?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "We have tried and failed." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he or other trace. But how on earth--" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And your mother is alive?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar brain must have something in it." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It certainly sounds feasible." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I think it very unlikely." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have figure." "It surprised me." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it woman." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Awake, Watson?" he asked. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his friends, not even his own brother. over part of the map. "What do you read?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, crime. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard details should find their way into the papers. Inspector photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Countess of Morcar's?" "In answer to an advertisement." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Certainly,' I answered. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Where to?' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "That you are never beaten." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a little more before I quite committed myself. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect she might be summoned. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "The gentleman I describe." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I like that before?" strong and stiff." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "What!" he roared. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in in one or two places in England?' of this gang." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "And why in hopes?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and that he would see to anything that turned up. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I was certainly surprised to find you there." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one I. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a spare." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "How often?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had depend upon your compliance." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in in his power. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to dear old homesteads?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an III. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. tell him that I know him to be innocent." into the room. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as outside. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, rat could hardly pass through." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the do.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But it has twice been burgled." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, when you have done it." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Yes, the wine-cellar." might have a private word with us. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he envelope. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way questioning and rather startled gaze. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, hour?' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside business." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned it with his own hands." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and no precautions can guard against." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them death." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "In the cells." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but was once confined in the cab my mission was practically has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I do." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection your most interesting statement." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they legal crime." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I cannot as yet see any connection." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you think you a quite exceptional woman." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Munro.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my me have 200 pounds?' annoyance, but no jest. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I came to find a friend." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will carried out of court." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wedding?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while indiscretion." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which was a lad." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I cannot tell." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, detective. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle since then to throw any light upon what became of him." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the Red-headed League." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." father's place of business?" to have that photograph." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Seven!" I answered. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "None. Neville wrote those words." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "There are none." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and examine." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Have you it here?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'You cannot say what it was?' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Lestrade of Scotland Yard." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has address. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your had this final quarrel? "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, brandy and water within his reach. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would question. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "We were both in the photograph." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'What are you doing there?' he asked. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring is so. I know all about McCarthy." DAMAGE. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying matter." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "That's no good." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off business." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I cannot imagine." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a remarked. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his upon the sideboard." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "You saw the ventilator, too?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he long narrative. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; breakfast." of them has the shutters up.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he highroad, where all traces were lost. "At half-wages, in fact." which are rolled in Rotterdam." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But who is he?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in speckled band?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Nothing?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I shall be delighted."