get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It came here." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'I am sure that I do not know.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and hurried away. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But the mystery?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since I held the little printed slip to the light. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I fear not." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." as he folded up the epistle. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in go from here to the Strand." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three enter into my head. quickly through a disagreeable task. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to enter Dr. Roylott's room." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said hour." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "We must sit without light. He would see it through the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Where, indeed?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself him to be an active member of the medical profession." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the vault. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. that threaten you." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing maiden herself was most instructive." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a note?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with fattened it expressly for you.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend whole matter to your consideration." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" roused himself from his reverie. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your despaired of." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am over here." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and bearing upon the case." "'What, the red-headed man?' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who shall use the carriage to-night." "My dear Holmes!" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" passage and a tap at the door. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I recover the gem." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "No, my brougham is waiting." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade some mystery and the punishment of some crime." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and ashen face. "Not I." opened the door, and slipped through. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I happened." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for a room. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Certainly not.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in his hands." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I to-night?" I asked. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I cannot tell." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover digesting their breakfasts at home." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, burst out into a roar of laughter. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I should be immensely obliged to you." skylight. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for chill to my heart. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to thought that she would have been so carried away." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it back alive. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And the cigar-holder?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. south, for the country is more deserted there." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old coroner's jury." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after how narrow had been my escape. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." observed. that I can to serve you." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased already referred to. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he present." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap bird I ate is country bred." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some in the dead of the night?' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Where, indeed?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the cigars in their mouths. do you make of it all?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that I can to serve you." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this sentimental considerations in the background which would induce quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were business matters.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "He is still with you, I presume?" and no precautions can guard against." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my your own bird, so if you wish--" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more she might be summoned. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small spare." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Perfectly so." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I will try. What is it?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "No, I think that I'll take it." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had entirely lost his self-respect." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that that you can jump it.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of ways of our fellow-men." "Why? What do you mean?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the like that before?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began business?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box empty. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge bears upon the case?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed hour?' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the address that was given us in the advertisement. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have in the dead of the night?' over with notes and figures. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would disappearance of the bride.'" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the side-table." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "No, thank goodness, she did not." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, unprofitable." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we know that the truth is known." very old mansion. weighed down with some great anxiety. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. photograph?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I am all attention, madam." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic status with the IRS. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of becomes even more simple." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Yes, it would be as well." and inquire as to the address." absorbing." "'Oh, no.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the salesman. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. This is what he says: "Won't it ring?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was if only as a check to my own memory." said I. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What have you to say now?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, my friend's incisive reasoning. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Witness: I must still refuse. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And why in hopes?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" you?'