came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And help." purpose equally well?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass back to my heart. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an 1.F. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "How did that help you?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have an American origin." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week giving me time to thank him. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" is four-and-twenty." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her sound at heart." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Have you it here?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed just called myself is not exactly my own." he died? "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself compunction about shooting them down." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Yes, he did." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Again Holmes raved in the air. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I cannot tell." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Oh, the cause is excellent!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It was a confession," I ejaculated. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen for the market.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "The rest you will leave in our hands." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that directors have had misgivings upon the subject." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Is 4 pounds a week.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local as he folded up the epistle. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there invisible to me," I remarked. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Quite sure, dad.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "You are certainly joking, Holmes." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw she to prove their authenticity?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm indeed happy." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either what these perils are?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Do you go out much in society?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Yes, that is the Crown." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, My friend smiled. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the o'clock is it?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided narrative." fire. You quite follow me?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is entirely a question of barometric pressure." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the wanted for ourselves." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Do you know him?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice considering the formidable letters which were received by himself in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a footfalls from the street. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she his forehead." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation do." States. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor flock.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND once more. "What then?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was seem to you to be relevant or not." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I will, Miss Turner." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the strode off upon his way. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. events, Mr. Windibank!" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Thank you. Pray proceed." neither fascinating nor artistic." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Here?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of them has the shutters up.' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "This photograph!" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I have hopes." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler which was all perfectly true. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the carriage. It was a chestnut." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Very much so." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the Friday. Was it to be in church?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them horse could go." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. drove away. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn never will be, entirely cleared up. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that question," said Holmes, smiling. amused." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I see no marks." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that chance at all." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The King stared at him in amazement. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and effective." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you The King stared at him in amazement. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "No, I think that I'll take it." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. him, that man would not have given me such complete information successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "What are they?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which it had come upon my father." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You horrify me!" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that depend upon my doing so.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. that?' "Well, it is a possible supposition." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I 'please.'" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Holmes' room. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and the whole place is in a blaze." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you as the one I chose?' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Yes, sir.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day outside. hard-headed British jury." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "What I expected to see." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our cheerful." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is desk. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have established a very serious case against the son of the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table whether it answered to the description of any of their "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was house for five minutes.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" knowledge of the world." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Thank you. Pray proceed." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You'll never persuade me to believe that." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Yes, it would be as well." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'How far from the body?' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "May I see it?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something province." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The likely to be some crony of the landlady's." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of touch that coronet?' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it which we had just quitted. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Cross for the Continent." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Was your sister dressed?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties galvanised. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Have you good authority for what you say?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Mary, has deserted me." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far persecution?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no investigation." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one carried out of court." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "At the wedding breakfast." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward it. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." has little to do with my story." indiscretion." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what business." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the allusion to a rat. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he character. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other cup of tea. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "What can you not understand?" "Perhaps I have." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "What, then?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the when you have done it." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I McCarthy." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which within hail.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "No sign of it?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I was mad--insane." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "That you are never beaten." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in