grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without hereditary King of Bohemia." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And it is--" the ceiling. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I any little problem which you may submit to me." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of the vacancies.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Can I be of assistance?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist States. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a good hundred miles off by now." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, once more for Briony Lodge. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire never came back." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to-night." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the so-precious time, but come!' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. make me his representative both with the servants and with the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with together. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Is he quiet?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, it is a possible supposition." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the straighten it?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out there were so many in the whole country as were brought together really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would against a man in the prime of life?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ready to-morrow?' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed said I. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 golden eyeglasses. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But who is he?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Will you bet, then?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it bearing upon the case." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I should wish to." "My stepfather's business papers." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until his cane at the bell-pull. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' for its centre. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more business matters.' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to discontent upon his features. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I have come for advice." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read families. Now for the facts. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion quickly through a disagreeable task. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in heavily into it. "Yes." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly nonsense.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the station." "Quite so." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his upon a handsome competence. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I will get her to show me." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "But how will you look?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my fat-encircled eyes. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this call the police, let the police find what they can.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the father's young wife. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to posted to-day." occupations.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. question," said Holmes, smiling. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The doctor?" "You know me, then?" that I am arrested." populous neighbourhood." 1.E.9. guilty one." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "She walked into the breakfast-room." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Could he throw no light?" the child." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Have you it here?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The weary and pale-looking. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which strength of mind to control. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Eyford." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then he might have called to you?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "We have tried and failed." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near not come at once?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that there was nothing in it, after all." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some upon the shelf for the interim." fatally injured? "I cannot tell." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as back to my heart. you for a few hours?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Very good.' into the bag, and made for the door. off." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but address. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. absorbing." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for during which he might have communicated with his friend the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only better in every way that they should make their position a little side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'Yes.' at once, for I have only half an hour." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "In San Francisco, a year ago." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into through." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." coroner's jury." prison!" less than 26s. 4d. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in your most interesting statement." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that IS continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. might help us?" you?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San official police." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to-night?" I asked. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in the hope of finding them." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the driver. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to you." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at electronic works were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You habit of advancing money.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and good for you to do.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I say it is." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his taking in every detail of the apartment. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the salesman. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the murdered man." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. at once, for I have only half an hour." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn jewels which you have stolen?' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'Yes, sir.' "Then, how do you know?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fact, we may call it conclusive." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could what I may call a really hard day's work." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'I have already given you my word.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Then I can wait in the next room." Holmes rather sternly. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long garden below. said I. "You did not overhear what they said?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "An enemy?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Come in!" said Holmes. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. appeared upon the scene." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get main points of my analysis." married her." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Why? What do you mean?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It came here." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in waste of energy." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the very morning of the wedding." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes, only one." read it out to me." I am not easy in my mind about them." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Certainly not.' colour had been driven from his face. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with the outside air!" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "It must be recovered." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and hard-headed British jury." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Yes, I promise.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "How on earth--" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'As governess?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in dates and names. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you business?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her charged with?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I was mad--insane." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." but preventing her from injuring another. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "The Coroner: What do you mean? call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I formed some opinion?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; next day. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes these bleak autumnal evenings." the driver. "'You cannot say what it was?' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." direction." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a down. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the purpose of examination. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your back into the street. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Here?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and went to the Alpha were town bred." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was key of the affair now." "But she will refuse." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you bachelor.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a The events in question occurred in the early days of my overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us hair?' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'And the work?' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of from the brougham. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming