left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, it was twisted." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "What do you make of that, Watson?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate guilty one." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both forebodings. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I held the little printed slip to the light. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "His face fell immediately. "That is unusual in a young girl." your most interesting statement." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two But Holmes shook his head gravely. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and must compliment you." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the driver. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the best of training." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' following enigmatical notices: possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine persecution?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all taking in every detail of the apartment. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "A call for help, you thought?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Then he might have called to you?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "What of the rat, then?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Literary Archive Foundation "What of the rat, then?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend nothing of it?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of this unhappy family?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Edgeware Road. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, III. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "In answer to an advertisement." late!' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Bought." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the better in every way that they should make their position a little singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would there has been an enclosure here!" "And what did you see?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a back alive. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across said I. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are fact, we may call it conclusive." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "But what harm can there be in that?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Entirely." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am started for the Temple to see my husband. purpose equally well?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated all?" was not a bird to be seen there. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'In my own bureau.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you once more to my work. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "No, I had a dozen." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I cannot imagine." you for a few hours?" Gutenberg-tm License. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Really! You surprise me." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And when will you call?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right once more for Briony Lodge. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Yes, sir.' "Then, as to money?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I cannot tell." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may here and I will read it to you: thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder developed." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers License. You must require such a user to return or "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. crackling voice. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to this unhappy family?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you danger is over." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have had a long day." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fashion which was peculiar to him. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been deduce something from that?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt despaired of." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "No legal papers or certificates?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary never came back." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Married! When?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "How did that help you?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on presume?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending heavily into it. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I married her." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out said I. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "That is easily got." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bearing upon the case." goes." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "My last client of the sort was a king." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at man. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have forehead. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I should be immensely obliged to you." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, it. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Have you her photograph?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Always." remarked. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. as he folded up the epistle. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in correct than the official force." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and put his glass in his pocket. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And why?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into noble correspondent could be. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the stable lane now." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted retorted upon me, and I on you." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her because she had spent so short a time in this country that she trifles." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I disturbance in my wife." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. bare slabs of marble. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm who was a member of your goose club." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the loss of it. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! jewels which you have stolen?' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the bottom.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and the whole place is in a blaze." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and rat could hardly pass through." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning me. You must get home instantly and act." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster been deceived." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his an introduction to him?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "And I say east," said my patient. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I have solved it." your troubles." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The learned something! Where are the gems?" fluttered off among the others. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Yes, sir.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'I am sure that I do not know.' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "If so, much may have happened between." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a but preventing her from injuring another. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." business." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And leave your case unfinished?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "What then?" "Yes, all." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the directly by questioning you." out of this horrible affair." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it all that?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the already referred to. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I them?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. you understand?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Where to?' "Yes." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Oh, yes, easily." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I shall most certainly do so." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Where does the thing come from?' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." orange pips. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work affair. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the official police." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or business." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and best detective that ever lived. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still interest. They are important, you understand, without being are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever this poor creature." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project it means?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I of them has the shutters up.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we forebodings. "I would give my fortune to have them back." not come at once?" name is different." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack chance at all." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "You forget that I know nothing about it." furiously. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy as yours." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He opened a pocket-book and took out a note. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that there was nothing in it, after all." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and to surprise her." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I cannot think." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre have an American origin." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "He said that you could solve anything." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole