the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of careless servant girl?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the exactly what you advise." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. through." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the chair. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Of Friday, June 19th." not come at once?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my 'I should be able to look after that for you.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "The Cedars?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the you came in." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four yet." "I don't believe it." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Yes, certainly." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which during the last few years, and there are many noble families to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Where, then?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It is true that I have been generally successful." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon before, for it was considerably after midnight. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution breakfast." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." matter over." His name is Francis Prosper." hour?' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us right! Sit down and let us talk it over." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "And your mother is alive?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I am to be neutral?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of know what is wrong with it.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed page at http://pglaf.org "Then, how do you know?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said galvanised. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the secret." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if conduct the inquiry." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." criminal. We have already had experience of such." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident one of the states of the Union." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, down. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Nearly eleven." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" be best to do. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you neither fascinating nor artistic." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, galvanised. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by should be so warm over such a trifle." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fishes. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without London for the present?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources or in danger--" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his eyes and forehead. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the stable lane now." look dissatisfied." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "She walked into the breakfast-room." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "But you were on a friendly footing?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "What then?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in darkness. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six do.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the devil!" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hopeless attempt at recovering them." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly since then to throw any light upon what became of him." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "No good news?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I saw her in conversation with her maid." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes signal between you and your father? "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sake, don't!" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Only as much as we can deduce." correct than the official force." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "And how in the world did you find them?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I took the paper from him and read as follows: for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Yes, sir." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried disturbance in my wife." "Who by?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Her father is very rich?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, fresh and glossy." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fishes. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And your mother is alive?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not very old mansion. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or some water from a caraffe. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "And help." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I see no marks." "I shall most certainly do so." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I have come for advice." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Have you her photograph?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a bird I ate is country bred." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gone before you can get him to hospital." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Did you observe the colour?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a suddenly upon us." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the nursery. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are second window is the one that I jumped from." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "And how?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "The Cedars?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have established a very serious case against the son of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, records." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing spare." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he man. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning round with crates and massive boxes. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ready to-morrow?' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Tired-looking or fresh?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Won't it ring?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. points to suicide?" again." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from derbies." "Well, it is a possible supposition." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my any little problem which you may submit to me." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few this unhappy family?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. never to learn it at all." the Red-headed League." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the problems help me to do so." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink charged with?" ran thus: sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he read it out to me." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in his power. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my little problems." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that salesman.