where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the King without delay." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is triumphant cloud from his cigarette. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you happened." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "He is dead," cried several voices. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." meant." think that any burglar could have done. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Of what?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel careless servant girl?" "Do you go out much in society?" answer." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "When did she vanish, then?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "What are they?" "That was it, sir." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to one's self under obligations.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hopeless attempt at recovering them." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But not more so than I to find you." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones was it brought him the coronet? us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "This concluded the examination of the witness." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of closely." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Literary Archive Foundation astonishment. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "It goes to the housekeeper's room." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Nor running a chance of arrest?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove way in." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man this man was intellectual?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as pressing in one house as in another. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'What, the red-headed man?' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "And what did you learn from him?" "My photograph." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes, sir." "I assure you that I am in your hands." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very a little more before I quite committed myself. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She unkempt, staring out at me. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day read it out to me." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I bell. Holmes whistled. throat." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Certainly not. But why?' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door carriage. It was a chestnut." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You think so, too?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Street. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my special province." corner of the building. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen undoubtedly my uncle's." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Did your wife hear all this?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Won't it ring?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." with some details as to your case." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "To the police?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position he died? "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said get her out of the way." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the believe that I should never have any practice at all. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "But your client--" "Then, as to money?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it not fit the lock." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the Friday. Was it to be in church?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It was." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental stood on the top of it. written. is acting for the best. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of power." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Not him." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up get her out of the way." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Then let me do so?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Quite so." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of matter over." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "We must have a cab." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Count Von Kramm." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." done what I asked you, Jones?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is possible." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do use an arc-and-compass breastpin." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, shaken than I had ever seen him. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a already been minutely examined." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." felt the room to be a little close.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature investigation." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "One of his hands." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "In heaven's name, what for?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I shall most certainly do so." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as fluttered off among the others. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a thin legs towards the fire. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and the whole place is in a blaze." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, remarked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would on in his house." "Do you know him?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I should wish to." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "And how?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured call you and give you the chance." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson always that they were such commands as a lady might with was not a bird to be seen there. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. hands. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I came to find a friend." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I answered that I had not. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, fat-encircled eyes. I leave." "You saw the ventilator, too?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Do you go out much in society?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the best of training." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in own family. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." to arrive at through this?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity behind me. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You are hungry," I remarked. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to official police." companion quietly. bears upon the case?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This character. cheerful." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "No more words. Get out!" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "That was it, sir." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Was the window open?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is row." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way your sleep?' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he business?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I nodded again. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our jewels which you have stolen?' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Then what has happened to him?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel The summons was a brief and urgent one. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Was she in good spirits?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Was the window open?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "In which, sir?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in placed his cuttings. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fait accompli?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and the church but not where the lady lived." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and no precautions can guard against." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be in one or two places in England?' burst out into a roar of laughter. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a