"Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But waste of energy." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt directors, with the result that you have seen." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his writer." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was ceremony." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your room?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sparkled upon his finger. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had intrusion of other matters." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Pray continue your narrative." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Have you good authority for what you say?" when you have done it." within hail.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take never came back." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Cross for the Continent." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we returned to France?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever one of them." "That also I could fathom." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It certainly sounds feasible." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Yes.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical help us in this matter." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis so far?" to miss it." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in papers diligently of late, have you not?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the not personally threatened." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "That is not always so easy." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What office?" "It's nothing of the kind." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled questioning and rather startled gaze. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "A client, then?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "So I have heard." it." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the chambers. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been bill, which interests me deeply." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "That sounds a little paradoxical." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when yourselves in at night?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." could go. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter chance." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles intimate personal affairs in this public manner." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's residence of the great financier. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "None." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Of what?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, a good hundred miles off by now." to-night's adventure." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Sutherland?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Your French gold?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, there are nearly always some there." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the detective. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "The rest you will leave in our hands." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his this unhappy family?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Yes." for its centre. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, stood on the top of it. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who point our research must commence, and we will begin it by at home. depend upon your compliance." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly should be so warm over such a trifle." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she undoubtedly my uncle's." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "There is the writing." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew ceremony." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was out of this horrible affair." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads The King stared at him in amazement. 1.E.9. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Yes." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Certainly not.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly friends, not even his own brother. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Not social, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. a room. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough stepfather?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "May I see it?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' mystery!" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms redistribution. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the side-table." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" putting in the horse. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, cigar and let me expound." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Seven!" I answered. situation." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock photograph?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You forget that I know nothing about it." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I will, Miss Turner." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Ten to two.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Mrs. Toller serenely. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than yards of it?' have an American origin." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried not come at once?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "What! a murderous attack?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never said I. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped were wasted." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I cannot say that I have." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in wanted for ourselves." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of you came in." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed if only as a check to my own memory." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "You were travelling in the States?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "How did he come?" "Really! You surprise me." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a more solid." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of stalked out of the room. dates and names. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, should be taken.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand bird I ate is country bred." "But to whom?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. main points of my analysis." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "He disappeared so suddenly." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of absorbing." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that asked. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near address. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the coronet at all injured?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I gone. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the