just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, article?" newspaper selections." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' that I am arrested." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on row." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." had a long day." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Yes, I have one waiting." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." asked. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What will you say?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I congratulate you again." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses too. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I do." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Street. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just chair. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the devil!" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Who was the criminal, then?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no she has been waylaid. There has been no result." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully gone before you can get him to hospital." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the him!" definite end. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether highly," said Holmes. "Married! When?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out returned to France?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon showing my impatience. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew were wasted." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you status with the IRS. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. bell. Holmes whistled. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here disappearance of the bride.'" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And now?" I asked. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'You cannot say what it was?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, your billet.' the nursery. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "And how did you find out?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "It is possible." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "VIOLET HUNTER." look dissatisfied." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram future lives." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back lamp. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the coronet in his hands?" "Never." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of this gang." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Miss Holder?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "That also I could fathom." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Was the window open?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw him nearly every evening." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "What is it, then--a fire?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Pope's Court. "I beg pardon." suspect him." undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside garden below. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "That is also quite modern," said the lady. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Countess of Morcar's?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been best detective that ever lived. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" in the port of London." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hurried away. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that subject to the trademark license, especially commercial misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever get the tickets." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you straighten it?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "What I expected to see." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to arrangements." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It is his hat." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. me. You must get home instantly and act." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical gone before you can get him to hospital." I held the little printed slip to the light. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Come in!" said he. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? them, and came down just as you departed. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, corner of the building. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears tied." house for five minutes.' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, desk. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk a monotonous occupation." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was nights." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, our word." that you wished to speak to me?' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Where, then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most get the tickets." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It despaired of." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the man. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Not particularly." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of are, and they are waiting for us." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully know that the truth is known." to tackle the facts." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I say it is." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of the vacancies.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "No." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and effective." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And the murderer?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Really! You surprise me." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Never to return." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for you." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must so.' the house with me." my former friend and companion. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "How did that help you?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the forbidden door. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of Fenchurch Street." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Eyford." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very criminal. We have already had experience of such." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave delirious. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "What will you do, then?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a together. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and asked. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "No." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It is to him that this trophy belongs." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the roused himself from his reverie. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Then how many are there?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late feature." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in maid will bring up your coffee." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she vanished into the darkness. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Have you her photograph?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was not a bird to be seen there. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'There is a drive, then?' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a then?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." paper in the air. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes, he did." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Then I am your man." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes, I have one waiting." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank waste of energy." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "About a month then." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It is half-past ten now." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the matter?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "A greater distance to travel." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "The murder was done with it." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I tell them apart.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has his forehead." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" hereditary King of Bohemia." as this. Pray let me have the details." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace