was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is depend upon my doing so.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no trying to your nerves." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "What, then?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to events, Mr. Windibank!" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some villagers almost as much as their master. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was morning." our word." bled considerably." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer completely overtopped every other consideration that we both least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And the murderer?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "How often?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Of what day?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I cannot say that I have." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly depend upon your compliance." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that forecastle of an emigrant ship. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "And how in the world did you find them?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I do." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made very morning of my second wedding." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and should be taken.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free me have 200 pounds?' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." plantation.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Dr. Becher's." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I cannot tell." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to-night." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for meant." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. maid will bring up your coffee." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Not particularly." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "But she could not love him." "Then he might have called to you?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Pope's Court. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Witness: It was. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I should wish to." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Entirely.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as lamp. horse could go." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to quite distinctive." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Mary, has deserted me." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right indeed happy." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Why did you beat the pavement?" reach." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Not him." "Yes. He waved his hands." delighted to hear it," he said. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." your Highness to the police-station?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It me what he had done with the three missing stones. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the telegram would bring me down to your help." which was all perfectly true. forebodings. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon late." kind enough to tell me what I should do." and the church but not where the lady lived." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner not come at once?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think whole matter to your consideration." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. grasp, he hurried from the room. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' golden eyeglasses. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, presume?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But what is it you wish?" It may be so in this case, also." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his papers must be those that are destroyed.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell own family. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "And how have you succeeded?" noting anything else of interest. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that closing the door. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence now. It seems that there had been some informality about their morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of them has the shutters up.' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which particular state visit http://pglaf.org "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his long narrative. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." galvanised. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His business." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and no precautions can guard against." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'In my own bureau.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But how did you gain them?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "One of the highest in England." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project purpose of examination. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Quite so. She has her freedom." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I think that it is very probable." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling with frightened eyes at his accuser. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to have that photograph." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I cannot imagine." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Dr. Gregory B. Newby look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "How about poison?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been would apply.' "What then?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Yes." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the knowledge of the world." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Dirty?" very morning of my second wedding." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "But what will you do?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, conduct the inquiry." "Nearly eleven." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Dark enough and sinister enough." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and chance at all." "How do you know, then?" indiscretion." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you down from London to inquire more deeply into it." you, my dear young lady?' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Where to?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "On your arm?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in about. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the security.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that he will be back before evening." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. entirely devoid of interest." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have been better. It is all right." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I that, and I came down." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would depend upon your compliance." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "The decline of his fortunes, then?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a congenial hunt. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Then he might have called to you?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his she to prove their authenticity?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "How did you trace it, then?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such very morning of my second wedding." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." allusion to a rat. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I am armed." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Why serious?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Witness: Nothing definite. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have purpose equally well?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady cup of tea. DAMAGE. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found becomes even more simple." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the chance at all." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very might have a private word with us. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's redistribution. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the driver. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am himself to hunt down. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you instincts rose up against that laugh. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He opportunities to fix the problem.