upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Arthur Conan Doyle "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'And the work?' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your him." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a monotonous occupation." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the prison!" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand forebodings. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should him and tried to hold him back. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I have hopes." me. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next galvanised. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the his cane at the bell-pull. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and with you alone." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Project Gutenberg-tm works. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "He is dead," cried several voices. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pound a week." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Pray tell us what has happened to you." meanly of me." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that look upon these things in a different way." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it bonnet, and went out." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly information in his hands the value of which he did not himself accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "In heaven's name, what for?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the Assizes." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "There is the writing." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And woman." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or light and attacked it." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long your own bird, so if you wish--" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. companion. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. there in twenty minutes." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said signal between you and your father? earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." grasp, he hurried from the room. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Yes." "No bad?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Certainly not.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and capable of preserving a secret.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "How did you trace it, then?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "What office?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a it." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon golden eyeglasses. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Ample.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently light and attacked it." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my yards of it?' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent himself in a perplexing position. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: tail." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the prisoner's face. never came back." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. me what he had done with the three missing stones. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' tear off another piece?' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending investigation." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "And what did you see?" following enigmatical notices: most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You woman." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Mrs. Toller serenely. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last gbnewby@pglaf.org the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have be. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cost them two and thirty pounds." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Holmes. "And your mother is alive?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a yourselves in at night?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a one of the states of the Union." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "The doctor?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with envelope. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Sutherland. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Certainly." place of silver." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what quickly through a disagreeable task. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to me. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I should like to see him very much." points to suicide?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Certainly." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an populous neighbourhood." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, it." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bled considerably." "Thank you. Pray proceed." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was such person." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Of what day?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the legal crime." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "You saw the ventilator, too?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Well?" "But you can know nothing of this?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "They are typewritten," I remarked. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "But she could not love him." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall seven miles from Eyford Station.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Certainly,' I answered. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Arthur Conan Doyle the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Not social, then?" "And what then?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he better in every way that they should make their position a little them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "How about poison?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor this remarkable episode. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and all of them with the keenest interest. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the you came in." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Of what?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." deduce something from that?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Absolutely?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of the one which your family is now devouring." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your go from here to the Strand." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up never came back." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Witness: Nothing definite. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name your room." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "The knees of his trousers." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow mystery may be cleared along those lines." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for strength in the others." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked arrested. You then--" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told had died away into the silence from which it rose. the very morning of the wedding." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close public press." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? weapon." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to bearing upon the case." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge business." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I am about to be married." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped front of me. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Where to?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him colour had been driven from his face. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. your sleep?' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "But it has twice been burgled." habit of advancing money.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I cannot say that I have." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I am sure." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I am sure." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to garden below. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Bought." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at of note-paper. It read in this fashion: you." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the station." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "In San Francisco, a year ago." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him girl said." tension within him. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of careless servant girl?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She here." she to prove their authenticity?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope was it brought him the coronet? I was concerned in it." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Never.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Was there a secret marriage?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a deduce something from that?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my